Circle Square

This is at the foot of 8th at Columbia. It was built in summer 2009 as part of regeneration funding in conjunction with the 2010 Olympics. These "squares" are known as Spirit Squares...funny, because it's rather round! Lately, there have been weekend concerts by local bands, sponsored by a local coffee shop, bringing some needed life to this part of town.

Painted Metal

Perhaps this is all that remains of a docking area. I'm not really sure what its former purpose was. It now seems to be an artist canvas, after a fashion.

I tot I taw a puddytat

Seen near 6th and 12th. I believe the van and building belong to the SPCA, though I think it's the thrift store not where animals can be adopted.

Leaves, they are a changin'

First signs of autumn spotted this weekend outside of Brain SkyTrain station. The red leaves contrast nicely with the sky and the yellow lamp standards. Soon they will be on the ground, either fluttering in the wind or clumped in sodden masses from the rain.

Cedar planked

Braid SkyTrain station platform has one of the most beautiful ceilings I've seen. The older stations such as New Westminster and 22nd Street are rather plain and functional, but the newer stations on the Millennium and Canada lines are much more architecturally in tune with the Pacific Northwest type of building: cedar, skylights, vaulted ceilings, glass.

Jiggy Jig*

This is but one section of several groupings that are lying in the pavement at Braid SkyTrain station, both in the ticket concourse and outside the main entrance. It's tricky to read them as you go past without blocking the path of those behind you!


*read closely - the title will make sense

Steamrollin'

This is a 1911 steamroller made by Rushton-Proctor Ltd of Lincoln, England. It was purchased by New Westminster city in 1912, and was in use until 1969. Since that time it has spent time in a variety of museums around British Columbia, and was returned to the City of New Westminster in June 2010. It's now in the care of the New Westminster Museum & Archives, where money is being raised for its restoration.

Salmon Pink

Such a popular colour for more recent housing developments, this salmon pink really stands out on cloudless days. It seems less popular for detached houses.

Underneath

Expo Line SkyTrain bridge as it rises up and over Columbia Street out of Columbia Station. Next stop Scott Road Station, after crossing the suspension bridge over the Fraser River. From the bridge eastward is a spectacular view (unless it's raining) of the mountains.

Hit the Books

John Robson Community School at 8th and Royal. I love the little rotunda on the roof!

John Robson was the owner and editor of the British Columbia newspaper from 1861 to 1868. During this time he campaigned for free, non-sectarian education for children. In 1883 he was elected to the provincial legislature, and in 1889 became the eighth premier of British Columbia until his death in 1892.

Spray

Fountain in the courtyard of Douglas College's campus at 8th and Royal.

More up

For a variety of reasons (hills, railway tracks), New Westminster has a lot of staircases and overpasses. Here is another one leading from the foot of 8th and Columbia, over the railyard to New Westminster Quay.

For the Birds

Nesting boxes like these have been put up in many local parks. Often there are so many that they create their own "forest". These are located in Sapperton Landing park, facing the Brunette River.

Jagged

Interesting fence near 2nd and 6th, in the Queen's Park area.

Watching You

Windows on the side of the Jehovah's Witness building on 10th.

Up and Over

These stairs lead to an overpass over the railyard, leading to the three level parking garage above Front Street. It takes nerves to climb them!

Boiler

A view of New Westminster's more industrial side. I'm not sure if this is still used for its original purpose as a boiler tank company. Somehow, I doubt it.

Soup's on!

Cutest graffiti in town. A new cafe opened just around the corner from New Westminster SkyTrain Station, and they jazzed up the rather plain fencing around their patio with this jolly chef.

Arrival

View across the quay to the Fraser River.

Zigzag

In the Japanese garden near City Hall is this little bridge that crosses the pond. As with most Japanese garden architecture, the straightest path is not what is important. This little bridge is just wide enough for one person to zigzag their way to the other side.

Over the Hill

View from the overpass leading from Columbia Street to the west end of the quay. Up the hill on the other side of Columbia is the community known as Brow of the Hill.

Rose Window

I don't have a telefoto lens, so I cannot get a better picture of the beautiful stained glass windows on the second storey of this 1930s era block of flats. Although I'm sure it's impossible, I can dare to dream that even tower modern blocks could be built with such homey character.

Old and New

I stumbled upon this building hidden behind the car dealerships just off Columbia Street. Curious - no signs indicated what it once was.

Cornerstone

This memorial is the cornerstone of the former Duke of Connaught High School that was located at the site of the current New Westminster City Hall from 1912 until 1955. The playground of the school was located in the current parking lot for City Hall.

Arches

Some more wonderful housing architecture in the Queen's Park area.

Saintly Sunday

Queens Avenue United Church, at the corner of Queens and Sixth. They regularly host classical musicians in recital; however, I don't pass by regularly enough to read the advertisement sign out front.

Rooms

If you squint, you might be able to make out the painted letters advertising "Rooms" on the side of the taller building on the right. Regardless, this is yet another example of the extreme slope of the roads below Royal towards the river.

Don't get lost

Front Street Parkade extends across several city blocks. Signs like this help you choose the correct staircase.

Another Big Wheel

Big wheels seem to be a theme at New Westminster Daily Photo this week. This is the new-ish Sapperton SkyTrain station, looking west.

Something Fishy

These beautiful fishy mosaics are part of a ground-level installation at Sapperton Landing. Along the riverside trail are several groupings of mosaics, all featuring fish.