About Us
Maintaining & Preserving Natural Spaces
The Chilliwack Park Society (CPS) is a registered non-profit, volunteer-run organization originally established to advocate for and maintain park space and trail networks in Chilliwack, BC. CPS was founded by a passionate group of residents in collaboration with the City of Chilliwack to create the Chilliwack Community Forest - a 130 acre forest with over 45 km of trails from valley floor to alpine.
What We Do
Trail Building & Maintenance
Dedicated and trained CPS volunteers and community members assist with regular maintenance and upkeep of our designated parks and trails throughout the year. Our youth summer trail crew plays a big part in helping maintain the trail networks throughout the warmer growing season. We also host, by request, trail days for school groups and other local based community organizations and groups. Led by CPS volunteer trail builders, these groups of volunteers have the opportunity to get outside and learn about local multi-use trails and forest networks and how to build and maintain them.
Community Trail Days
Hosted by CPS volunteers periodically throughout the year at any of the three parks built and maintained by CPS (Chilliwack Community Forest, Lexw Qwò:m Park, and Little Mountain Park) or in collaboration with other community organizations and/or First Nations at various trail locations across Chilliwack. Community trail days are open to everyone and are well attended by local residents and families. Trail days include a training component, work component and socializing and/or activity component, sometimes followed by a BBQ. Tools are provided by CPS so that everyone can participate.
Advocacy for Parks and Trails
CPS liaises with governments, land owners, and community groups to advocate for increased park and trail spaces throughout Chilliwack and beyond. Outside of the Community Forest, CPS has been involved, and continues to be engaged in, the advocacy and development of various projects including Little Mountain Nature Park & Trails, Qoqó:lem Trail, Slollicum Trail, Trans Canada Trail, Skowkale Hatchery Trail, and Slesse Park Trails.
SEASONAL PROGRAMS
Spring and summer are busy seasons at the Chilliwack Park Society.
Lexw Qwò:m Park Field Trip Program
April - June
Field trips are hosted every spring from April to June on a full-time basis and free of charge to school groups and community organizations. The field trips are led by teacher-trained facilitators and include activity based outdoor centres and a hike (based on age and skill level). Age appropriate curriculum for kids age 5-10 (grades K-5) was created specific to the local flora, fauna and cultural significance and history of the surrounding forest and waterways.
Youth Summer Trail Crew Program
May - August
Funding is raised through various sources to train and employ a summer youth trail crew from May to August each year. The program originally started in 2020 in partnership with United Way BC. The youth are provided learning opportunities on trail and often complete industry certifications such as Chainsaw Operator Certification and Wilderness First Aid. The crew is led by CPS volunteer mentors in trail building and maintenance and often engage with other community groups to complete seasonal projects together.
Bike & Build Program
March - November
Beginning in 2020 in partnership with United Way BC, bike and build days emerged as a way to engage local Stó:lō teens during Covid. Bike and build days provide youth an opportunity to both learn trail building skills and explore trails on mountain bikes with seasoned trail builders and riders. CPS continues to partner with the Mémiyelhtel Indigenous youth program to team up for these days along with several other local community groups. Read about how it all started by clicking the link below.
BC Society
The Chilliwack Park Society is officially registered as a Society within the Province of British Columbia. Please note we are not a federally registered charity and cannot offer tax-deductible receipts for donations. Donors can, however, make tax-deductible donations to the Society through the City of Chilliwack. Learn more