Spring is in the air, and that means one thing—cherry blossom season is here! The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (March 28 – April 23, 2025) may be citywide, but New Westminster has its own breathtaking spots to enjoy the magic of pink petals right in our own backyard.

🌸 Where to See Cherry Blossoms in New West

Looking for the best places to experience these iconic blooms? Here are some must-visit spots:

🌿 Queen’s Park – Stroll through tree-lined paths bursting with pink blossoms.
🌊 Westminster Pier Park – A scenic walk along the Fraser River, framed by cherry trees.
🏡 Tenth Street & Queens Avenue – A charming neighborhood street covered in soft pink petals.
🌳 Ryall Park – A hidden gem in Queensborough, perfect for a springtime picnic.

🌸 Cherry Blossom-Inspired Activities

Celebrate the season with some fun, blossom-themed activities in New West:

📸 Photography Walk – Capture the blooms in full glory
🎨 Sketching in the Park – Join local artists at Queen’s Park (April 6)
☕ Cherry Blossom High Tea – Enjoy seasonal treats at Anvil Centre Café (April 13-14)
🌸 Petal Picnic – Pack a lunch and relax under the blossoms at Pier Park

🌸 Did You Know?

The first cherry trees in the region were a gift from Japan in the 1930s, symbolizing friendship and renewal. Today, over 40,000 cherry trees bloom across Metro Vancouver, including our beautiful New Westminster streets and parks!

🌸 Share Your Blossom Moments!

Cherry blossom season is short but sweet—make the most of it! Tag your best blossom moments with #NewWestSpotlightBlooms for a chance to be featured.

🚃 New Westminster’s Front Street Faces Brief Closure After Train Derailment

Front Street in New Westminster reopened to traffic on March 14, 2025, at 6 a.m. following a 9-month closure for Pattullo Bridge construction. Just days later, the road faced another temporary closure on March 18 due to a minor train derailment near 4th Street.

The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) confirmed that seven empty auto carrier cars derailed, blocking the road early Tuesday morning. While the incident was described as minor, it caused significant disruption for drivers, some of whom were unable to turn around and had to wait until the road was cleared.

Crews worked quickly to resolve the issue, and by 10 a.m., Front Street was fully reopened, with traffic flowing normally once again. No injuries or hazardous material leaks were reported. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

Check the CTV coverage here.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️

🏫 Why did the umbrella go to school? 🌂

☔️ Because it wanted to be sharp in a storm! ☔️

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Cherry Blossoms + Train Derailment

Issue #175

Inside the New West Spotlight

Read New West Spotlight Online

March 19, 2025

March 20, 2025

March 21, 2025

🌸 Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season! 🌸