Burnaby Mountain | |
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A view from Burnaby Mountain's Centennial Park
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 370 m (1,210 ft) |
Prominence | 354 m (1,161 ft) |
Coordinates | 49°16′45″N 122°54′31″W / 49.27917°N 122.90861°WCoordinates: 49°16′45″N 122°54′31″W / 49.27917°N 122.90861°W |
Geography | |
Location | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada |
Topo map | NTS 92.G/07 |
Burnaby Mountain, elev. 370 m (1,214 ft), is a low, forested mountain 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 called UniverCity. In November 1995, the Province of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University reached an agreement to transfer 330 hectares of university land to the City of Burnaby for inclusion into Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.
In spite of residential development on its western slope and continuing deforestation due to condominium construction around SFU, the mountain still has some wildlife remaining such as deer, raccoons, 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. Common wild birds include several types of woodpeckers, northern flickers, Steller's jays, and great blue herons.
Burnaby Mountain has a 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 an 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.
Burnaby Mountain is known for its mountain biking trails and obstacles. Due to its relatively high elevation, snow will often fall on the higher aspects of Burnaby mountain while rain falls in the surrounding cities. Tobogganing is a popular pastime at Centennial Park on winter days with snow.