Central Park

Naturally urban–your oasis in the heart of Metrotown

Douglas fir, cedar and vine maple all call this 86-hectare urban park home—so do tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, horseshoe pitch, a pitch & putt golf course–and Swangard Stadium, our premier sports and athletic facility.

About Central Park

Just minutes from Burnaby's largest shopping complex, this urban forest features winding paths, quiet ponds and beautiful gardens–not to mention lively areas for special events, sports and games.

What you need to know

  • Park in designated areas, not residential areas or areas where parking is not permitted.
  • The majority of picnic tables are first come, first served.
    • Picnic areas 1, 2 and the North Upper Pond can be booked through allotments. Visit picnic sites for more information.
  • Propane barbeques and charcoal and open-flame barbeques are allowed at this park.
  • If garbage cans are full, please take your garbage with you.
  • Keep your dogs leashed and pick up after them immediately.
  • Alcohol in parks pilot program: From July 1 to October 31, 2023, we permitted responsible consumption of alcohol in this park along with some others. This program is now closed, and alcohol consumption is not permitted in any Burnaby park. We're analyzing feedback from the program and will make recommendations to City Council in early 2024 on if it should be made permanent/expanded.
  • Enjoy clean air at your favourite public park. Smoking has been banned in all City parks and multi-use paths since January 1, 2022. 

Features

Tennis court maintenance

Tennis courts 1-4 are closed for maintenance, reopening spring 2024. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Perimeter Trail Upgrades

The section of the Central Park Perimeter trail between Imperial St and Patterson Ave (from the Lower Pond to the tennis court parking lot along the Central Park Pitch & Putt) is closed for trail upgrades November 27-December 1. 

This multi-purpose stadium is located in the northwest corner of Central Park. It's one of BC's premier sports and athletic facilities–but there's action at the local level too. Watch for fun family activities throughout the year, including Canada Day celebrations.

Central Park outdoor pool is open all summer long. This 6-lane, 50-metre pool is kept at 28°C and features a 1-metre diving board and changing rooms.

Central Park's outdoor fitness circuit is located along the 2.5-kilometre Trail of Hope. The equipment is designed to focus on the following areas: cardiovascular, balance, strength and flexibility.

Completed in the spring of 2021, the third section of the Central Park Perimeter Trail runs along Imperial St–a welcome addition to the trail’s first section along Boundary Rd and the second section along Patterson Ave. It includes a leg of the Trail of Hope, where community groups often host fundraising runs and walks.

Download the map

Set amongst majestic evergreens in the Metrotown area, the Central Park Pitch & Putt offers a great, inexpensive golfing experience for players at all levels, ages 8 years and up. If you're a beginner or don't have time to play a regulation 18-hole course, try our pitch & putt in beautiful Central Park.

  • Volleyball–the court is located between Swangard Stadium parking lot and picnic area.
  • Lawn bowling–the lawn bowling green is located in the northeast area, off Kingsway and west of Patterson Ave.
  • Horseshoes–there are 16 horseshoe pitches just to the east of the outdoor pool.
  • Social games–tucked away throughout the park you'll find lots of areas to gather for social games with your family and friends.

Central Park has 12 outdoor courts for tennis off Patterson Ave, south of Beresford St.

There are 2 large picnic areas, each with water taps. One is located near Variety Park playground in the northwest corner of the park, the other is next to the upper pond, close to Boundary Rd. 

For more information or if you're interested in booking a large group, visit our picnic sites webpage.

Download the map

Children enjoy playing in the upgraded Variety Park playground that's fun and challenging for kids of all ages. It's near the picnic area next to Swangard Stadium. There's another playground off Boundary Rd, near the outdoor pool.

Central Park's spray park is located in the Variety Park playground. Gentle grading around our wet and dry play areas makes it easy to walk or roll in.

Central Park provides the following accessibility amenities and equipment in the park:

  • Central Park outdoor pool has a dedicated accessible change room with shower.
  • Variety Park playground has been upgraded to ensure it's fun and challenging for kids of all ages and abilities.
  • Swangard Stadium is equipped with a wheelchair ramp to spectator seating and a viewing area for people who use mobility aids like wheelchairs. Your service dog is welcome–only trained service dogs are allowed at the stadium.
  • Accessible washrooms throughout the park.
  • Perimeter Trail at Central Park has a smooth, wide surface, ideal for mobility aids like wheelchairs.
  • Parking
    • There are a total of 25 accessible parking stalls in Central Park:
      • Boundary Road / Central Park Pool lot - 4 accessible stalls
      • Patterson and Kingsway parking lot - 2 accessible stalls
      • Patterson - south tennis court lot - 1 accessible stall
      • Patterson - north tennis court lot - 1 accessible stall
      • North picnic grounds/Variety Park playground lot - 10 accessible stalls
      • Swangard large lot - 1 accessible stall  (We expect to have 2 additional accessible stalls this fall.)
      • Swangard small lot - 4 accessible stalls
      • Imperial / Pitch & Putt lot - 2 accessible stalls

Visitor information

General inquiries

[email protected]
604-294-7450

Park hours

Central Park is open from dawn 'til dusk year-round.

Address

3883 Imperial St, Burnaby
Get directions

Central Park is just off of Boundary Rd and Kingsway with easy access from Patterson SkyTrain station.

Parking

There are 4 main parking lots:

  • Boundary Rd/Central Park pool parking lot - northbound on Boundary Rd between 47th and 46th Ave.
  • Swangard large parking lot - off Kingsway, just east of Boundary Rd. Follow the road into the park.
  • Imperial/Pitch & Putt parking lot - just off Imperial, east of Boundary Rd.
  • Patterson and Kingsway parking lot - Patterson Ave, south of Kingsway.

and 5 secondary parking lots:

  • Swangard small parking lot - northbound on Boundary Rd.
  • Patterson - south tennis court parking lot - off Patterson Ave, south of Patterson SkyTrain station (this parking lot is closest to the Trail of Hope, where the outdoor fitness circuit is located).
  • Lawn bowling parking lot - off Kingsway at Inman Ave.
  • North picnic grounds/Variety Park playground lot - paved lot off Kingsway, just east of Boundary Rd and Swangard Stadium.
  • Patterson - north tennis court lot, off Patterson Ave.

EV charging stalls are available. 

Public transit

Visit TransLink Trip Planner.

Patterson SkyTrain station has a west access on the park side of Patterson Avenue at Central Boulevard.

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