Did you know that spending a little time surrounded by trees is actually proven to help lower blood pressure and heart rates? The phenomenon is called forest bathing, and it’s a Japanese practice of simply being among trees. Additional benefits of forest bathing include the reduction of stress hormone production, an immune system boost, as well as an overall improvement in well-being. Luckily for us, Surrey has a bounty of places where you can seek out au-naturel stress relief amongst the trees.
Check out one of Surrey’s beautiful, smaller forested parks for a serene walk in Surrey and let that stress go!
Crescent Park
2610 – 128 Street
Crescent Park, not to be confused with Crescent Beach, is a beautiful 128 acre park with a bounty of trails and beautiful views. With two meadows, a pond, and an abundance of wildlife, there’s lots of scenery to keep you occupied as you travel through the trails. You can expect to take about an hour or so to walk through the trails at Crescent Park.
Godwin Farm Biodiversity Preserve
9016 164 Street
Godwin Farm Biodiversity Preserve is a lovely nature reserve for walking, sitting and enjoying the outdoors and wildlife watching. Originally, the park was owned by the Godwin family, who later donated the land to the city through the Federal Eco-Gifting program in order to protect it. There are lots of great things to see, like the old orchard, the pond that was made by the Godwins, and a registered heritage tree that is 175 feet tall.
Hi Knoll Park
19569 Colebrook Road
Right on the cusp of the Surrey and Langley border is the recently opened Hi Knoll Park. For a leisurely 30-minute walk, Hi Knoll Park is perfect! Along the trails is Anderson Creek, a salmon-bearing stream that brings vitality to the park. These trails are also dog friendly so long as they’re on a leash, perfect for a post-dinner walk with the family.
Fleetwood Park
15802 – 80 Avenue
For a leisurely jaunt around a stunning park, check out Fleetwood Park. You can expect about 30 peaceful minutes along the nature trails at Fleetwood park, with several bridges that cross over Fleetwood Creek. Many animals and birds, such as woodpeckers, call this park home, so you’re sure to be serenaded along your walk, too!
Redwood Park
7900 – 20 Avenue
If you’re looking for a little bit of a longer walk, Redwood Park is your go-to for a quiet, peaceful walk. The trails are carved out for an hour to an hour-and-a-half-long walk among the groves of over 50 different species of trees, including magnificent giant sequoias. Tucked away in South Surrey, this park is STUNNING, and has for the most part remained a hidden gem, meaning it’s a little less travelled than some of the bigger parks in the city.