Burnaby Mountain

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The view from Burnaby Mountain's Centennial Park

Burnaby Mountain, elev. 370m (1214'), is a forested hill in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia, overlooking the upper arms of Burrard Inlet. It is the location of Simon Fraser University, the Discovery Park research community, and the System Control Tower of BC Hydro and a new complex of residential and commercial development under the aegis of SFU, known as UniverCity.

[edit] Wildlife

In spite of aggressive residential development on its western slope and continuing destruction of the upper forest due to upscale condominium construction around SFU, the mountain still has some wildlife remaining such as deer, coyotes customarily roaming local streets, and even a few black bears, sometimes mothers with cubs, who pay occasional visits to the backyards of Westridge residents. But mostly it is wild birds such as several types of woodpeckers, northern flickers, and Steller's jays.

[edit] Attractions

The western slope of Burnaby Mountain as seen from North Burnaby Secondary School

Along with SFU, Burnaby Mountain has a spectacular viewpoint facing west at Centennial Park. The yearly Celebration of Light fireworks festival on English Bay west of downtown Vancouver can be seen from the park and attracts a large audience on the parks' westward-facing lawns. Along with the outdoor view, Horizons Restaurant lets customers dine while watching the view of Vancouver to the west, or up mountainous Indian Arm to the north. The park is also home to a collection of Ainu totem pole-like carvings which were a gift from the government of the preferecture of Hokkaidō in Japan, as well as a fairly large formal rose garden.