Originally founded in 1882 by the Ladner brothers, today Ladner still retains much of its farming heritage and pioneering charm. One of the three distinct communities which comprise the sprawling municipality of Delta, Ladner is where you’ll find City Hall, the Justice Building, the Delta Museum and Archives, as well as the Delta Hospital.
Ladner Village, the area surrounding the intersection of Ladner Truck Road and Arthur Drive, has enjoyed steady revitalization for more than a decade and now offers a solid blend of traditional small town boutiques and big town retailers including London Drugs, Safeway, and Starbucks. Mind you, you can still buy fish right off the boat at the harbour downtown and fresh veggies from a variety of farm markets. On two weekends each month throughout June, July, and August, be sure to check out the Ladner Village Market when the main street of downtown is transformed into an open-air market featuring more than 100 vendors and artists and live street entertainment is ongoing.
Although primarily a community of single family homes, the Village itself has seen enormous growth in condominiums during recent years. Many of these are walking distance to the town centre and some enjoy excellent river views. Heading west along the Fraser River, you’ll also discover three houseboat communities — whether this alternate lifestyle appeals to you or not, it’s worth the drive just to see the creativity people have put into their floating residences.
Because of its location on the river delta, Ladner is completely flat making this a remarkable place for walking, cycling, and jogging. It’s possible to go for miles amid the farmlands that still cover much of the area without ever encountering an incline.
For more formal recreational opportunities, there’s the Ladner Leisure Centre next door to City Hall. With swimming pool, fitness centre, and ice rink, this is a popular and well-used facility year round. It’s also where you’ll find a variety of special events including antique fairs and community programs for all ages.
A must-see is for locals and visitors alike is the 850-acres Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island. Famous among birdwatchers, the sanctuary attracts some 1.5 million migratory birds every year including up to 25,000 snow geese who like to winter there. Bring your binoculars and a camera when you visit. Bird food is available on-site for a nominal charge.
On the other side of Ladner, the Deas Island Regional Park offers hiking, horse trails, picnic areas, and grassy areas for just lounging in the summer sunshine. You’ll often see people fishing along the river banks or birdwatching from the two-storey observation tower. Burvilla, a restored Queen Anne-style heritage house which was once home to the famous Burr family, now serves as a crafts store for local artists. Next door is the Inverholme Schoolhouse, one of Delta’s last one-room school houses.
Ladner enjoys a central location giving easy access to Vancouver, the US border, Vancouver International Airport, and the BC Ferries to Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Gulf Islands. The Boundary Bay Airport in East Ladner is where you’ll find a number of smaller commercial airlines as well as several respected flight schools.
By Susan M. Boyce
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