Whonnock Lake - Maple Ridge

Above - Whonnock Lake (several years ago when the water wasn't quite so bad...)

The journey began as my family and I drove down a secluded road lined by trees on either side. The shade fell in splotches along the road, pierced by rays of sunlight sneaking through the leaves of the trees. This would be the setting you might want to meditate in. It is a very good place to ponder life until you get closer to Whonnock Lake. A line of cars waited to get into the packed parking lot. Construction veichles obstructed the view of the lake and screaming children being pulled by their angry, sun burned parents, drowned out the noises of nature. Welcome to Whonnock Lake.

The lake's water is a murky brown. The only swimming area was small and crowded. Children in diapers splashed in the water, sending ribbons of brown gunk into the air. Several geese walked by us, ignoring us completely. Apparently Whonnock Lake isn't the friendliest place to be. The only area that isn't crowded by people is the swamp on either side of the roped off swimming area. Lily pads sprung up through the dirty water, desperate to rid themselves of the filth they had been entrapped in for so long. Many flowers blossomed on top of the swamp water, creating a contrasting image. Frogs croaked and the geese we saw earlier swam into the water, peacfully making their way across the lake. A scream of delight pierced the air as a young boy held up a frog in his hand triumphantly. Children oohed and ahhed as they admired the catch. The frog struggled for a moment and then lay limp in the boy's clenched fist.

After realizing that I wouldn't be able to swim through the lily pad and frog infested waters (not to mention the possibility of leeches), I decided to try my luck swimming in the designated area. I walked down a wobbly dock and lowered myself into the water. The unmistakable smell of putrid, rotting wood and plants wafted into the air as my foot broke the surface of the water and I was hit with a wave of nausea. I hesitated, not wanting to go into the water for fear of what other surprises I would encounter but soon the heat got the best of me and I reluctantly jumped in. The water was too warm and offered no relief from the heat. Several children jumped in behind me, soaking my hair with brown, smelly water. I grimaced and swam back to shore, not wanting to walk passed a crowd of kids waiting to jump off of the dock.

A ghost town of crumbling sand castles surounded by muddy moats awaited as I got to the shore. Garbage peeked out from the sand and people ran passed me, trying to get to their children, or away from their parents. This, I concluded, was where the poor, urban, very desperate families of Maple Ridge went trying to get a glimpse of the beauty of nature.

By the time we left, I was more than ready to go. Since then I have unwillingly returned and found that it isn't so bad when it's not busy - if you can get passed the water.

Rating out of ten - 5/10. I rated it a 5 because it really wasn't great, but it was much better when it wasn't so crowded. I must add that there is a lovely events centre that many people have had receptions at. The multiple docks also make lovely wedding photos as long as there is a glare on the water, masking the green.

Would I go there again?

Potentially... If I was desperate.

#PlacestoGoSummerEdition