MAPLEWOOD

Like many other neighbourhoods in North Vancouver, Maplewood is on the rise.  Slowly but surely people are discovering that the districts north of the city’s downtown hub are worth calling home.  The balance between access to the urban and natural environment draws people in, and the laid back way of life and community feel entices one time visitors to start calling this place home.  Maplewood is no exception.

Location

Of all the different neighbourhoods in North Vancouver, Maplewood boasts perhaps the most convenient access to everything you could want.  Located just east of British Columbia Highway 1, the main artery into the city of Vancouver proper, residents enjoy seamless travel into the city or up the coast into the heart of the mountains and forests of British Columbia.  The neighbourhood itself has unrivalled access to the Seymour River shoreline as well as the Burrard Inlet coastline – making the Maplewood area any water lover’s dream.

Community Ownership

Maplewood has always been a community-driven neighbourhood, with residents always striving to support each other and the municipality as a whole. Currently, there is an extra push to promote local businesses and jobs while also meeting new standards of environmental responsibility and stewardship.  Town representatives, leaders, and community members alike are striving to help the area grow in a way that compliments and reflects the natural beauty that surrounds Maplewood as a whole.

Parks and Green Space

Much of North Vancouver is known for its incredible access to parks and green space, and the Maplewood neighbourhood has just that.  Cutter Island Park and Seymour River Heritage Park are instant favourites with beautiful forests and open space along the shores of the beautiful Seymour River.  To the north Lillooet Park, Hogans Pools Park, and Canyon Creek Park allow for an escape just a little further from home – though still only a few short kilometres away.  However, of all the stunning natural areas in and around Maplewood, nothing quite compares to the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area.

Maplewood Flats Conservation Area

British Columbia has a rich natural heritage, and the residents of Maplewood are especially proud to be a part of that by housing the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area.  This 126-hectare piece of land, located on the shores of the Burrard Inlet, is comprised of salt marsh, mudflats, uplands, and an intertidal zone – the ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

A community of squatters built cabins inhabited the area as early as the 1940s and into the 1970s, and it wasn’t until the eighties that the Maplewood Flats were designated as a conservation easement.  Today, the Vancouver Port Authority owns the land but has given Environment Canada a 49-year lease to manage the area as a wildlife conservation zone. Subsequently, Environment Canada has chosen the Wild Bird Trust for on-the-ground administration.

The conservation area has over three kilometres of accessible trails, strategically constructed to peacefully and quietly observe the wildlife utilizing the marshy coastal habitat.  The Wild Bird Trust is available for educational outings and special events to help visitors gain further appreciation for this slice of natural beauty.

Business and Enterprise

As mentioned above, Maplewood has a strong drive to keep the community at the heart of the neighbourhood.  As such, locals enjoy a wide array of family-owned shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses throughout the area.  That said Maplewood, and especially the surrounding area, is also home to larger scale businesses and organizations.  This balance allows for job growth and for many residents to work close to home – perfect for those working fulltime while raising a family.

Raising a Family

North Vancouver, and Maplewood, in particular, is an excellent place to raise a family.  This inclusive community is sure to welcome your family with open arms, the area schools are some of the best in Vancouver, and the opportunities for fun and outdoor educational experiences for your children are virtually limitless.  Living outside of Vancouver proper provides an added level of safety and security while still allowing your children to experience the culture and diversity of a major metropolitan area. Almost instantly upon moving in, your new house will feel like home.

Whether you are looking to raise a family or relocate on your own, Maplewood could be the perfect fit.  Commuting to Vancouver for work, play, or errands is as easy as hopping on British Columbia Highway 1 and heading south for an easy twenty-minute drive.  Enjoying the coastline, mountains, forests, or surrounding communities of North Vancouver is even more comfortable. Simply put, Maplewood has it all.