Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Maple Ridge is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It is located in the northeastern section of Greater Vancouver between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears, which is a group of mountain summits which are the southernmost of the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains. Maple Ridge's population in 2016 was 82,256. Its downtown core is known as Haney.

Maple Ridge
City
City of Maple Ridge
Flag
Nickname(s): 
"Ridge"
Motto(s): 
"Rivers of bounty, Peaks of gold" or "Deep Roots, Greater Heights"
Location of Maple Ridge within the Greater Vancouver Regional District in British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates: 49°13′N 122°36′W
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional DistrictMetro Vancouver
Incorporation1874 (district municipality)
 September 12, 2014 (city)[1]
Government
 • MayorMike Morden
 • City Council
 • MPMarc Dalton
 • MLABob D'Eith and Lisa Beare
Area
 • Total266.78 km2 (103.00 sq mi)
Elevation
294 m (965 ft)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total82,256
 • Density308.3/km2 (798/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
Forward sortation area
V2W - V2X, V4R
Area code(s)604, 778, 236
WebsiteMaple Ridge

History

Maple Ridge was incorporated as a district municipality on September 12, 1874.[3] It covered an area of 33,000 acres (130 km2) yet was home to only approximately 50 families. Maple Ridge is British Columbia's fifth-oldest municipality (after New Westminster, Victoria, Langley, and Chilliwack). Until the expansion of Metro Vancouver (the GVRD) it was part of the now-defunct Dewdney-Alouette Regional District with the City of Pitt Meadows and District of Mission and other north-side communities east to Chehalis.

On March 26, 2014, Maple Ridge residents voted to change the community's status from district municipality to city. Subsequently, Maple Ridge Council submitted its request for status change to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.[4] The status change became official on September 12, 2014,[1] which coincided with Maple Ridge's 140th anniversary of municipal incorporation.[3]

Geography

Communities

Maple Ridge is made up of several different historical areas including:

Some of these areas are identified with a cultural group. For instance, Albion and Webster's Corner are represented by the many Finnish families that settled in the area. Port Hammond is known for its small cottage-like mill houses originally built by the local mill to house its workers, Ruskin is the location of a community hall of the Sons of Norway, although the area was founded by English followers of John Ruskin, and Kanaka Creek originally was a community for Kanaka employees of Fort Langley.

Port Haney, located adjacent to the Fraser River to the southwest of downtown Haney, and the site of the West Coast Express commuter rail station, is a heritage district created to protect some of the remaining buildings from earlier times. In addition to buildings already on-site when this was the steamboat landing as well as the CPR station, other heritage buildings from around the City of Maple Ridge were relocated to Port Haney to preserve them and enhance the heritage flavour of the location.[5]

Climate
Climate data for Maple Ridge Kanaka Creek
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1)		 20.0
(68.0)		 25.5
(77.9)		 29.5
(85.1)		 31.0
(87.8)		 34.0
(93.2)		 36.5
(97.7)		 34.5
(94.1)		 35.5
(95.9)		 27.5
(81.5)		 16.0
(60.8)		 13.5
(56.3)		 36.5
(97.7)
Average high °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0)		 7.8
(46.0)		 10.9
(51.6)		 14.9
(58.8)		 17.9
(64.2)		 20.5
(68.9)		 23.8
(74.8)		 24.1
(75.4)		 21.1
(70.0)		 14.1
(57.4)		 8.1
(46.6)		 4.6
(40.3)		 14.4
(57.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)		 4.0
(39.2)		 6.5
(43.7)		 9.6
(49.3)		 12.5
(54.5)		 15.2
(59.4)		 17.7
(63.9)		 17.8
(64.0)		 15.0
(59.0)		 10.0
(50.0)		 5.4
(41.7)		 2.4
(36.3)		 9.9
(49.8)
Average low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0)		 0.1
(32.2)		 1.9
(35.4)		 4.3
(39.7)		 7.1
(44.8)		 9.9
(49.8)		 11.7
(53.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 8.9
(48.0)		 5.9
(42.6)		 2.8
(37.0)		 0.2
(32.4)		 5.4
(41.7)
Record low °C (°F) −17
(1)		 −13.5
(7.7)		 −9
(16)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 −1
(30)		 2.5
(36.5)		 5.0
(41.0)		 5.0
(41.0)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −6
(21)		 −13
(9)		 −17.5
(0.5)		 −17.5
(0.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 275.8
(10.86)		 146.1
(5.75)		 174.3
(6.86)		 144.1
(5.67)		 132.5
(5.22)		 90.0
(3.54)		 59.4
(2.34)		 63.3
(2.49)		 82.5
(3.25)		 189.0
(7.44)		 308.2
(12.13)		 236.7
(9.32)		 1,901.9
(74.88)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 252.4
(9.94)		 138.2
(5.44)		 167.9
(6.61)		 144.0
(5.67)		 132.4
(5.21)		 90.0
(3.54)		 59.4
(2.34)		 63.3
(2.49)		 82.5
(3.25)		 188.9
(7.44)		 301.8
(11.88)		 218.6
(8.61)		 1,839.4
(72.42)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 23.4
(9.2)		 7.9
(3.1)		 6.4
(2.5)		 0.1
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.0)		 6.4
(2.5)		 18.1
(7.1)		 62.5
(24.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 21.0 15.4 20.0 17.7 16.0 13.4 9.0 8.1 9.1 16.8 21.3 20.5 188.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 19.9 14.6 19.4 17.7 16.0 13.4 9.0 8.1 9.1 16.8 20.9 19.1 184
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.1 2.0 1.6 0.05 0.05 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.05 1.3 3.6 12.75
Source: Environment Canada[6]

Demographics

In the 2016 Census, the City of Maple Ridge had a population of 82,256.

Canada 2016 Census[7]Population% of total population (2016)
Visible minority group
South Asian2,4803%
Chinese2,3402.8%
Black9451.1%
Filipino1,8102.2%
Latin American8751.1%
Arab1600.2%
Southeast Asian7050.9%
West Asian7400.9%
Korean8401%
Japanese5700.7%
Other visible minority1950.2%
Mixed visible minority4650.6%
Total visible minority population12,11514.7%
Aboriginal groupFirst Nations1,9552.4%
Métis1,7602.1%
Inuit100%
Total Aboriginal population3,8154.6%
European Canadian62,33075.8%
Total population82,256100%

Economy

Early settlers in Maple Ridge engaged in forestry and agriculture. Forestry companies continue to be the largest private-sector employers in the district. They include Interfor and companies that manufacture building materials, yachts and poles. The soil and climate are not well-suited to the production of traditional food crops, but the Maple Ridge agriculture sector generates upwards of $40 million annually (2001), largely from berry crops, nurseries and horse breeding.

Maple Ridge hosted the only North American high volume manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, E-One Moli Energy.[8] However, the factory suffered major layoffs due to the 2008 recession and now only hosts a small product testing team.

The city of Maple Ridge has become a popular location for feature films and television series. The Ridge Film Studios is located downtown, in an old retail space, and serves as a set location for episodic television programs. Maple Ridge's film roots go back to the 1970s, when scenes for the feature film Rambo were shot here. Over time the city has been a background for a number of films and television series, including The X-Files, Bordertown, Smallville, Bird on a Wire, We're No Angels, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Stargate SG-1. In recent months the old Bordertown set was featured in an episode of the WB series Legends of Tomorrow.

The city is currently working to zone new commercial and industrial lands to expand local employment opportunities.

Arts and culture

Venues for performing arts in Maple Ridge include the Arts Centre and Theatre (ACT), the bandstand in Memorial Peace Park, and various theatres in local secondary schools.

The ACT contains a main stage theatre capable of seating 486 for musical and dramatic performances as well as a studio theatre used for other performances, classes and special events. The ACT is also home to a conference room and smaller classrooms for activities such as pottery and painting. The ACT is a non-profit public resource. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is also located in the ACT, focusing on local artists and art students.

Maple Ridge also has several festivals and annual parades, including the Santa Claus Parade & Christmas in the Park, Earth Day celebrations in Memorial Peace Park, Canada Day in Memorial Peace Park, GETI Fest in Memorial Peace Park, AdStock Music Festival in Memorial Peace Park, Aboriginal Day celebrations in Memorial Peace Park, The Celebrate the Night Halloween & Fireworks event at Memorial Peace Park, the Caribbean Festival at the Albion Fairgrounds and the one of the longest running agricultural fairs in BC, Country Fest at the fairgrounds.

Maple Ridge offers one of the largest Remembrance Day celebrations in the Lower Mainland each November 11 at Memorial Peace Park. The event is hosted by the Royal Canadian legion Branch #88 and boasts annual attendance of over 2000 local residents for the parade of veterans and first responders and moving Cenotaph ceremony.

The Haney Farmers market runs every Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm starting in May through to October at Memorial Peace Park

Maple Ridge is the home of the Maple Ridge Concert Band, a community concert band that has been in existence for over 50 years.[9]

Sports

Maple Ridge is the hometown of several athletes such as baseball player Larry Walker, deceased race-car driver Greg Moore, and hockey players Cam Neely, Brendan Morrison, Ryan Butler, and Andrew Ladd.

Government

Maple Ridge is governed at the municipal level by a seven-member council made up of six councillors and a mayor. Five of the seven school trustees elected to the School District 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Board of Education are chosen by Maple Ridge voters. School trustees, councillors and the mayor are elected on the same ballot for four-year terms. In addition, residents of Maple Ridge vote for representatives to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the House of Commons of Canada.

Mike Morden is the current mayor of Maple Ridge. He was first elected mayor on October 20, 2018. Previous mayors include Gordon Robson, Kathy Morse, Al Hogarth, Bill Hartley, Belle Morse, Carl Durkson, Ernie Daykin, and Nicole Read. The next Municipal Election will be held in the fall of 2022.

Maple Ridge has two constituencies in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. In the 2017 BC Provincial Election, the British Columbia New Democratic Party won both of Maple Ridge's seats. NDP MLA Bob D'Eith holds the Maple Ridge-Mission constituency while MLA Lisa Beare represents the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows constituency.

Maple Ridge has one constituency in the House of Commons of Canada. In the 2019 federal election, the Conservative Party won the seat. The MP is Marc Dalton.

Transportation

Translink provides public transit services to Maple Ridge, including buses and the West Coast Express. Haney Place Exchange is the main bus exchange, with every bus line in Maple Ridge stopping here at some point along its route.[10]

Maple Ridge is connected via Highway 7 to Pitt Meadows in the west and Mission in the east, and also by the Dewdney Trunk Road, a more northerly route which crosses into Mission via the community of Stave Falls.

The Golden Ears Bridge connects Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows to Langley.

The Pitt Meadows Regional Airport is the only Fraser Valley airport (other than water airports) located on the Fraser River's north side. It is located 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the confluence of the Pitt and Fraser rivers, and serves the area north of the Fraser River from Mission up to and including Vancouver.

Abbotsford International Airport, which is situated 40 km (25 mi) away in Abbotsford, offers flights daily throughout Canada and to the Caribbean and the United States.

Education

Public schools are administered by School District 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. The school district serves residents of Maple Ridge and neighbouring Pitt Meadows, along with students transferred in from other British Columbia school districts. The district also accepts international students.

The school district operates eighteen elementary schools, five secondary schools, an adult learning centre, a community college, and several other educational facilities in Maple Ridge.[11]

Several of the five public secondary schools have specialized in certain areas and/or started academy programs to attract more students.

Thomas Haney Secondary School operates on a self-directed learning system that is designed to allow students to plot their own paths toward fulfilling ministry learning outcomes. The school also operates an equestrian academy for all abilities as well as music, theatre and athletic programs. One of the schools students, Samantha, is proof of Thomas Haneys excellence as one of their most legendary graduates.

Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School, opened in 2005, was designed to allow students to experience various technologies as well as their traditional education. The school offers various trades programs in partnership with local trade schools and colleges.

Garibaldi Secondary School offers the International Baccalaureate program and DigiPen Technology Academy.

Westview Secondary School and Maple Ridge Secondary School are the other two public high schools in Maple Ridge.

Several of the elementary schools also offer non-traditional systems. These include: Kanaka Creek Elementary, which operates a year-round schooling system, exchanging a long summer break for shorter breaks throughout the year; and Yennadon Elementary School, which operates a cyberschool program, enabling some students to work from home on a computer on certain days.

Several private schools are located in Maple Ridge. These include: Meadowridge School, a JK-12 independent non-denominational school; James Cameron School a school for children in Grades 2-7 with learning disabilities; St. Patrick's, a Catholic school, and Maple Ridge Christian School which is K-12. These are not operated by the school district, but must still meet the British Columbia Ministry of Education standards.

Post-secondary education in Maple Ridge is available through:

  • BCIT, which offers courses as part of the BCIT School of Business Entrepreneurship Associate Certificate Program;[12]
  • Douglas College, which has a campus in Thomas Haney Secondary School[13] and also offers courses at the Ridge Meadows Maternity Clinic;[14] and
  • Sprott Shaw College, which is a private post-secondary institution.

Notable people

References
  1. "Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council: Order in Council No. 513" (PDF). Province of British Columbia. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  2. Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics. "Population and Dwelling Count Highlight Tables, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  3. "The City of Maple Ridge: 140 Years in the Making". District of Maple Ridge. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  4. Phil Melnychuk (March 26, 2014). "Maple Ridge votes to become city". Maple Ridge News. Black Press Community News Media. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  5. Port Haney page, Maple Ridge Museum website Archived March 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada
  7. Census Profile, 2016 Census: Maple Ridge, District municipality. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 02 August 2018.
  8. "Molicel - Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries". Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  9. "Maple Ridge Concert Band". Maple Ridge Concert Band. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  10. http://www.translink.ca/~/media/Documents/Maps/Transit%20System%20Maps/sys_Pitt_Maple_Langley.ashx
  11. "Schools | SD42". Sd42.ca. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  12. "BCIT partners with District of Maple Ridge to offer business courses | Update". Commons.bcit.ca. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  13. "Douglas College - BC Transfer Guide". Bctransferguide.ca. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  14. "Maple Ridge - Prenatal". Douglas.bc.ca. December 5, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  15. https://www.chroniclejournal.com/entertainment/music_scene/snak-the-ripper-rises-from-the-dirt/article_4951f5ac-1d13-11e6-85d8-6bbf046386fa.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. "Alexz Johnson Instant Star Interview". YouTube. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  17. Zimmer, Eric (March 24, 2014). "Maple Ridge musician chasing her dream". Maple Ridge Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  18. "Rick Tippe Is Singin' A Different Tune". Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  19. Sporthaven.com - Larry Walker bio Archived September 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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