Ocean Park (Surrey)
Encyclopedia
Pre-colonial
Ocean Park was part of the territory of the Semiahmoo people, one of a group of tribes called the Straits Salish, a division of the Coast SalishCoast Salish
Coast Salish languages are a subgroup of the Salishan language family. These languages are spoken by First Nations or Native American peoples inhabiting the territory that is now the southwest coast of British Columbia around the Strait of Georgia and Washington state around Puget Sound...
.
They used this place for spiritual renewal and named the area "Kwomais" which literally means place of vision, because of its high bluffs and unobstructed views to the ocean and islands. Kwomais Point is marked on many early navigation maps and has long been used as a lookout point.
For protection against the raids of the Yukulta people, the Semiahmoo built a fort in Ocean Park possibly between 1820 and 1830. The fort fell into disrepair in colonial times. Today, the site is a subdivision called Indian Fort Drive near the west end of 20th Avenue.
Colonial and modern
In 1886, early pioneer Ben Stevenson acquired 350 acres (141.6 ha) of and built a large home overlooking Semiahmoo BaySemiahmoo Bay
Semiahmoo Bay is the southeastern section of Boundary Bay on the Pacific coast of North America. The name "Semiahmoo" is a Coast Salish word for "half moon".From the north to south, the following communities and places are located on its shore:...
.
In the early 1900s, 136 acres (55 ha) were acquired in order to provide the members of the Methodist church a place where they could vacation. Promotional materials named the area “Ocean Park”, and in 1910 the church offered its first summer camp. In 1925 the Methodist Church joined with The United Church of Canada, and the camp was administered by British Columbia Conference of the church. Over the years bits of the property were sold for housing. In 2007 the last remaining 13 acres (5.3 ha) of the site were sold to the City of Surrey as parkland. Camp Kwomais was the second oldest camp accredited with BC Camping and the oldest camp using its original campsite.
http://www.surrey.ca/Visiting+Surrey/What+to+Do/Day+Trips+-+Within+Surrey.htm
In 1912, campers built a small shed beside the tracks of the recently-completed railroad. The Great Northern Railway reluctantly accepted it as a stop, thereby giving easier access to vacation spots in Ocean Park for residents of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and New Westminster.
In 1921, Ocean Park opened its first post office, which was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a franchise, founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims...
as 'the world's smallest post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
'. The 6 feet (1.8 m)-by-6-feet building was later expanded to 6 feet (1.8 m)-by-12-feet.
In 1925, the Ocean Park Community Hall opened after a community fundraising campaign. The Hall continues to be the focus for the community and has been home to hundreds of social gatherings and special events for thousands over generations. The Hall’s 75th anniversary in 2000 resulted in a special edition of the Ocean Parker, a volunteer community newspaper. The Hall is operated by the Ocean Park Community Association.
In the 1950s, Ocean Park’s first residential telephone was installed at the house of firefighter Derek Uren.
In 1958, the volunteer fire hall was built by the community, seven years after a house fire killed a woman and her two sons.
In 1985, Fun Fun Park was created by community volunteers as the first “Volunteers in Parks” in BC. 12-year-old Jessica Tuttle was awarded 10 silver dollars for her winning entry in the naming contest.
In 2002, the community association’s Ocean Park Area Livability Study identified three main community issues: 1) traffic concerns 2) lack of policing and vandalism 3) lack of community recreation opportunities, especially for youth and seniors.
Geography and climate
Ocean Park is the most western part of the Semiahmoo Peninsula, bounded by the waters of Semiahmoo BaySemiahmoo Bay
Semiahmoo Bay is the southeastern section of Boundary Bay on the Pacific coast of North America. The name "Semiahmoo" is a Coast Salish word for "half moon".From the north to south, the following communities and places are located on its shore:...
and Boundary Bay
Boundary Bay
Boundary Bay is situated on the Pacific coast of North America on the border between the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington....
.
On land, Ocean Park borders the neighbourhood of Crescent Beach to the north and the city of White Rock, British Columbia
White Rock, British Columbia
White Rock is a city in British Columbia, Canada, that lies within the Metro Vancouver regional district. It borders Semiahmoo Bay and is surrounded on three sides by the City of Surrey, British Columbia. To the south lies the Semiahmoo First Nation, which is within the city limits of Surrey...
to the east.
Economy
Ocean Park has a business and shopping centre. In 2006, actors Danny DeVitoDanny DeVito
Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr. , better known as Danny DeVito, is an American actor, comedian, director and producer. He first gained prominence for his portrayal of Louie De Palma on the ABC and NBC television series Taxi , for which he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.DeVito and his wife, Rhea Perlman,...
and Matthew Broderick
Matthew Broderick
Matthew Broderick is an American film and stage actor who, among other roles, played the title character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Adult Simba in The Lion King film series, and Leo Bloom in the film and Broadway productions of The Producers.He has won two Tony Awards, one in 1983 for his...
starred in the movie Deck the Halls
Deck the Halls (film)
Deck the Halls is a 2006 family comedy film set during the Christmas season in Massachusetts. It stars Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, and Kristin Chenoweth and is directed by John Whitesell.- Plot :...
on a purpose-built set in Ocean Park.
Amenities
Ocean Park is served by two elementary schools: Ocean Cliff Elementary School and Laronde Elementary School, which offers a French Immersion program. St. Mark's Anglican Church opened in 1999. The Surrey Public LibrarySurrey Public Library
Surrey Public Library is a municipal public library system serving Surrey, British Columbia and the surrounding Lower Mainland.-History:Prior to 1983, Surrey was a member of the Fraser Valley Regional Library. In 1982, Surrey held a referendum on the withdrawal from FVRL, which passed. On March 17,...
operates a branch in Ocean Park.
There are two waterfront walks in Ocean Park. 1001 Steps Park, at the foot of 128t Street near Camp Kwomais, has stairs down to waterfront access and nature trails. Ocean Park Shoreline Walk is a tidal-beach walk.
Transportation
Ocean Park has morning and afternoon commuter bus service to Vancouver operated by TransLink (British Columbia) on route 352 Ocean Park/Vancouver via the South Surrey Park & Ride.All day service on a 30 minute frequency is provided by the #351 Bridgeport Station / Crescent Beach service.
External links
- Historic Photographs : City of Surrey
- Heritage sites : City of Surrey
- Ocean Park Community website
- Businesses of Ocean Park