Trout Lake in Winter

Trout Lake is a small lake at Vancouver’s John Hendry Park that’s also home to the Trout Lake Community Centre and a large farmers’ market in the summer.

This article contains information about the lake, the community centre and events that take place in the area. For more information about the park and its Saturday summer market, click John Hendry Park or Trout Lake Farmers Market. For information about other events at Trout Lake, see below.

Vancouver’s Trout Lake

Trout Lake is a small urban lake located in John Hendry Park between East 14th and East 19th Avenue. Victoria Drive runs along the western side of the park and South Grandview Highway passes its northeast corner.

At the south end of the lake there are public washrooms, a concession stand and small sandy beach. Barbecues are permitted in the area and in the summer there is a swimming raft in the water. Lifeguards are on duty between late May and the beginning of September.

At 3360 Victoria Drive, the Trout Lake Community Centre is less than a 5-minute walk from the beach and between the community centre and the lake there’s an amazing children’s play area.

At the north end of the lake is another beach, although that one is also in an off-leash area for dogs (so not recommended for swimming unless you have four legs and a tail). All around the lake is a walking path, and at the park there are basketball courts, a soccer field, baseball diamond and tennis courts.

Parking at Trout Lake is free and boats are not permitted in the water (except with special permission).

The Beach at Trout Lake — Beach at south end of Trout Lake

Trout Lake Community Centre

The Trout Lake Community Centre is located at 3360 Victoria Drive in the southwest corner of John Hendry Park. It’s a pretty typical community centre with a fitness centre and programs for all ages.

At the Trout Lake Community Centre there is a preschool, sports activities in the gym and programming for seniors. There are also fitness, art, dance and other classes for children, teens and adults.

Trout Lake Events

A number of events take place at Trout Lake, both in the park and at the community centre. Major events include National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21st each year. Smaller events include Music on the Bow performances, as well as seasonal events (like on Family Day, at Easter and other holidays and special occasions).

Music on the Bow at Trout Lake

Music on the Bow is a series of free live music performances at the Trout Lake Community Centre. In warmer months they usually take place outside between the building and the children’s play area. Occasionally though they’ll happen indoors (like on days with bad weather).

The concerts are FREE and usually take place in the spring, summer and fall.

Summer Outdoor Concerts

In 2019, outdoor concerts were put on every Wednesday from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. At the events there was also popcorn for sale (as a fundraiser) and food trucks were on site. Below was the schedule for the summer outdoor concerts from 2019. The 2020 schedule is to be confirmed.

July 3rd, 2019 – Sanctuary All Stars
July 10th, 2019 – East Van Choir
July 17th, 2019 – Youth East Van Marimba All Stars
July 24th, 2019 – Blackthorn Celtic Band
July 31st, 2019 – Char Hunter and George Faulkner
August 7th, 2019 – La Riva
August 14th, 2019 – Norine Braun with Band
August 21st, 2019 – The Soda Crackers
August 28th, 2019 – Checo Tohomaso & the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir

Trout Lake in Autumn Video

To get an idea of what Trout Lake and John Hendry Park look like in the fall, watch the following short video.

This video was taken in mid-October of 2020. As you’ll see the autumn colours this time of the year are impressive! In the video you’ll see ducks swimming, dogs playing at the beach and lots of people going for walks and enjoying the scenery.

For ideas on other beautiful places to explore this time of year, see our article about Vancouver’s Best Places in Autumn.