About Westminster Quay Boardwalk

• Length: 2.8km

• Traffic: Low to Moderate

• Route Type: Loop

Take a leisurely stroll starting at the Westminster Quay Boardwalk End along the delightful walkway leading towards the River Market at Westminster Quay. The New Westminster Walkway gracefully hugs the shimmering waters of Fraser River that's sure to draw people out from the community on a beautiful day.

At the beginning of the walkway, you'll first walk past the gated Quayside Off-leash Dog Area, but since our dog is reactive, we didn't venture in. As you amble along the walkway enjoying the serene atmosphere, the next milestone is the Quayside Park with a charming playground nestled next to the walkway. This area is highly trafficked with children and their parents (and dogs!) playing at the park.

While exploring, it's important to keep your furry friends on a leash, as the walkway mostly requires it for the safety and consideration of all visitors. After all, it is still a public walkway and most of the dog owners we came across were kind enough to keep their dog on a leash.

The walkway itself was fairly wide for dogs passing by, providing ample space for pedestrians and their dogs to pass each other comfortably. However, in certain areas like right before the Quayside Park, the path narrows, but let each other pass by and you should be fine.

After the Quayside Park, the path continues to down the Waterfront Esplanade and Park and turns the corner towards the River Market. While the River Market is a great place to pause and maybe even grab a bite, keep in mind that it's not dog-friendly. Around this area, the traffic definitely picks up although there's plenty of space to distance yourself from other dogs should they get uncomfortably close.

We parked farther away from the River Market, which was quieter if that's what you're looking for. As you approach the Quayside Park and the market, the walkway gradually becomes livelier, as the hustle and bustle of visitors intensifies. If you choose to, you can also walk up a street along Quayside Dr on the way back although you would miss out on walking along the water!

Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs

If you have a reactive dog, the walkway along the water towards the River Market can still be an enjoyable option with a few considerations. The wide sections of the walkway will provide enough space to comfortably navigate while keeping a safe distance from other walkers or dogs passing by. However, be mindful of the narrow areas and practice patience by taking turns to let other walkers pass, allowing your dog to feel more at ease.

Parking farther away from the River Market offers a quieter environment with fewer distractions. This can help minimize your dog's exposure to stimuli that may trigger reactive behaviour. As you move closer to the Quayside Park and the River Market, anticipate an increase in foot traffic, noise and potentially more dogs and children in the vicinity.

What we liked about the walkway

• It's an enjoyable walk by the water, especially when the weather is nice

• The owners of other dogs were respectful and most dogs were leashed

What we didn't like about the walkway

• There was one particular narrow area although it wasn't too bad

• It could get busy in certain areas with children, their parents and other dogs