John Hendry Park

January 26, 2004 - This expansive eastside greenspace encompassing 27.40 hectares (68 acres) has a most interesting history that reads like a chronicle of the Who's Who in early Vancouver. The land was the site of one of Vancouver's most important features in the late 1800s - the Hastings Sawmill. Trout Lake, a natural peat bog forming the largest feature on the park, was the important water source for the mill which was owned by John Hendry, a prominent individual due to his influence in developing the region's forest industry.

He was born in New Brunswick and it was there that he received his first exposure to saw milling. He came to British Columbia in 1872 when the industry, for the most part, was still being developed. After a brief time in the state of Washington, Hendry was commissioned to supervise the rebuilding of the Moodyville Mill which had been destroyed by fire. The entrepreneur soon became well known and started many lumber operations in the Lower Mainland. His most influential endeavours included the Royal City Planing Mill in New Westminster and the Hastings Sawmill. John Hendry died in 1916 at the age of 72. During his lifetime he carried many important titles, some of which included: President of the Vancouver Board of Trade, President of the Canadian Forestry Association and the Mayor of New Westminster.

Hendry's daughter married Eric W. Hamber, one of the previous Lieutenant-Governors of the British Columbia. In 1926, the Hambers donated part of the land on the Hastings Mill site to the Vancouver Park Board. The new park was to be called "John Hendry Park." In correspondence, this land was referred to by phrases such as "the property surrounding Trout Lake" and hence commonly became known as "Trout Lake Park". It wasn't until August of 1942 that the Honourable E. W. Hamber sent a letter to the Park Board reminding them of the resolution passed in 1926 to name the park after his father-in-law, John Hendry. The Board decided that they were legally obligated to name the park after Mr. Hendry, a name synonymous with Vancouver history, lumbering, and success. One observant board member noted there were no trout in the lake anyway. From September 11, 1942 onward, the park was referred to as "John Hendry Park".

An urban park always seems special since one can escape from the complexities of the city into a relaxed natural environment, but for those who value history as well, this park also serves as a reminder of Vancouver's industrial past.

Swimming at Trout Lake

Not long after the land was officially declared a park, the Park Board hired its first life guard to oversee swimmers there. His name was Pete Smith and he was well known to lake users as he'd been a volunteer guard for years before the land became park. At age 70, he took and passed a life guarding test administered by the Park Board Supervisor of Beaches, Fred Burrows. Pete Smith put in 10 more summers before retiring at age 80 in 1938.

The park now boasts the fully equipped Trout Lake Community Centre with skating rink, racquet courts and fitness centre. The main section of Trout Lake is life guarded in summer with a more natural setting at the opposite end specifically designed as habitat for wildlife. The park also boasts a variety of sport fields, playgrounds, a covered picnic shelter, tennis courts a fieldhouse/concession and an off leash area for dogs.

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