Best Lower Mainland Parks for an Outdoor BBQ

When it’s too hot to turn on the oven, grab your picnic supplies and head to one of these amazing public spots for a big summer BBQ

There's nothing better than the smell and and sound of sizzling meat (or veggies) en plein air when the days are long and the weather is hot.

With that in mind, break out the briquettes, slap on some sunscreen and head to one of these 6 outdoor venues for a perfect summer picnic party.

Trout Lake, Victoria Drive & East 19th Avenue, Vancouver

With a beach, a kids park and plenty of green space, Trout Lake is a quintessential spot for bringing the barbecue.

Casual barbecuing is allowed in any area around the lake but if you want to reserve a picnic table in the official picnic site (several tables under a covered area) you must book in advance through the City of Vancouver.

It's a popular spot, so reserve early, and bring your own barbecue!

New Brighton Park, 3201 New Brighton Road, Vancouver

Located on the water just west of the Second Narrows bridge, New Brighton Park is a true hidden gem.

The large park area is located next to an outdoor swimming pool and access to washrooms and a playground.

Picnic tables are located under a tree-covered area and must be reserved with a picnic permit for groups of 50 or more.

Jericho Beach, Timble/Wallace/4th Avenue, Vancouver

With something to please everyone, Jericho Beach is truly the perfect spot to set up a barbecue, with sand and surf only a stone's throw from the grassy picnic area.

While picnic tables are all open-air, many locations along the beach have barbecue pits which will save you the trouble of lugging your hibachi to the beach.

A nice option at Jericho is the off-leash area for dogs, which also has good spots for laying out your picnic blanket.

Crab Park at Portside, 101 East Waterfront Road & Main Street

Often a lunchtime getaway for the business crowd during the week, Crab Park is an interesting mix of seawall, working port views, and grassy picnic areas.

Only a 15-minute walk from downtown Vancouver, the park has picnic tables, a public washroom, off-leash areas and loads of parking.

Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby

A great spot for picnicking the day away, Confederation Park in Burnaby has some fun surprises (like taking a ride on the model steam railway) to make your picnic into a party.

Boasting 33 picnic tables (split almost evenly between two areas), the park offers a plethora of opportunities to get your game on from tennis courts to ball diamonds to lawn bowling.

For small casual groups, picnic areas are on a first come, first served basis.

Cates Park, off the 200 block of Dollarton Highway, Deep Cove

Whey-Ah-Whichen, or Cates Park, has a multitude of scenic picnic spots (both sheltered and open-air) in close proximity to boating, swimming, and hiking areas.

If you're seeking a more relaxing day than paddling off into the sunset in your kayak offers, then there are large, open grassy expanses perfect for having a match of badminton or tossing a Frisbee around.