Celebrating 100 Years!
Image credit: Surrey Museum & Archives
Ocean Park Community Association
1926 – 2026
A hundred years ago, a small coastal community came together with a shared dream: to build a gathering place of their own. With hand tools, determination, and countless volunteer hours, they built what would become the Ocean Park Community Hall.
The Ocean Park Community Association (OPCA) is one of the oldest and most enduring volunteer-led neighbourhood organizations in the Lower Mainland. As we mark our 100th Anniversary in 2026, we invite you to learn our story — and to become part of its next chapter.
The Ocean Park Community Association (OPCA) is one of the oldest and most enduring volunteer-led neighbourhood organizations in the Lower Mainland. As we mark our 100th Anniversary in 2026, we invite you to learn our story — and to become part of its next chapter.
Image credit: Surrey Museum & Archives
A Community Built from the Ground Up
Long before Ocean Park was a neighbourhood, it was a place of vision. The Semiahmoo people, part of the Coast Salish Peoples, called this area Kwomais, often translated as "place of vision." Their connection to these lands and waters stretches back countless generations before European settlement.
Perched on dramatic coastal bluffs overlooking Semiahmoo Bay, the Gulf Islands, and beyond, the area would later attract settlers drawn to its natural beauty and sense of possibility.
The Ocean Park we know today began to take shape in 1905, when former Methodist minister W. Pascoe Goard acquired 136 acres of land along the north shore of Semiahmoo Bay. His vision was to create a planned community for summer retreats and spiritual life. By 1909, the Great Northern Railway had arrived, and in 1912 Ocean Park residents famously built their own railway stop by hand, despite initial resistance from the railway company.
The name Ocean Park was first proposed around 1905–06 and was described at the time as "very appropriate for a place near the sea amid the beauties of nature."
As more families settled in the area through the 1910s and early 1920s, the growing community recognized the need for a gathering place. In 1924, local pioneer John Horner donated the land for what would become the Ocean Park Community Hall. Neighbours raised funds, plans were drawn, and volunteers supplied much of the labour. On March 3, 1926, the Hall officially opened its doors, beginning a tradition of community service that continues today.
Perched on dramatic coastal bluffs overlooking Semiahmoo Bay, the Gulf Islands, and beyond, the area would later attract settlers drawn to its natural beauty and sense of possibility.
The Ocean Park we know today began to take shape in 1905, when former Methodist minister W. Pascoe Goard acquired 136 acres of land along the north shore of Semiahmoo Bay. His vision was to create a planned community for summer retreats and spiritual life. By 1909, the Great Northern Railway had arrived, and in 1912 Ocean Park residents famously built their own railway stop by hand, despite initial resistance from the railway company.
The name Ocean Park was first proposed around 1905–06 and was described at the time as "very appropriate for a place near the sea amid the beauties of nature."
As more families settled in the area through the 1910s and early 1920s, the growing community recognized the need for a gathering place. In 1924, local pioneer John Horner donated the land for what would become the Ocean Park Community Hall. Neighbours raised funds, plans were drawn, and volunteers supplied much of the labour. On March 3, 1926, the Hall officially opened its doors, beginning a tradition of community service that continues today.
Image credit: Surrey Museum & Archives
The Hall was built in the vernacular Craftsman style — wood-frame construction, drop cedar siding, multi-paned wooden sash windows — modest, honest, and built to last. It has lasted. Today it is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places and protected by a Surrey Heritage Revitalization Agreement. It is a designated heritage building, recognized not only for its architecture, but for its unbroken association with the life of the Ocean Park community across a full century.
Who We Are and What We Do
The Ocean Park Community Association is a volunteer-led, membership-based society. Our all-volunteer board of directors gives its time freely because they believe in this place. The OPCA currently serves Ocean Park across four pillars:
Over the past decade, the OPCA has hosted many additional community events and initiatives, including the now-retired Easter Parade, Family Day Amazing Race, Halloween Teen Dance, gingerbread decorating competitions, recycling fairs, pet parades, the Taste of Ocean Park (TOOP) the Annual Heritage Tea and more — all designed to bring neighbours together and strengthen community spirit.
These events don't happen without a community behind them. Our dedicated board, sponsors, local businesses, and dozens of volunteers make it all possible.
- Beautification — maintaining and enhancing the spaces, gardens, and public areas that make Ocean Park a place people are proud to call home. From the Fun Fun Park renovation in 2015, to the annual Village spring planters and seasonal street banners, holiday lights and invasive species removal at Fun Fun and Kwomais Park, to the annual Ocean Park spring cleaning and recycling fairs, the OPCA helps preserve the character and beauty of the community.
- Safety — supporting initiatives that help keep Ocean Park a safe and welcoming community for residents of all ages. From CPR and AED training, emergency preparedness resources and kit drives, to safety presentations at the Hall, Coffee with a Cop, Street Smarts and Safety event, and collaboration with local BlockWatch liaisons, the OPCA works to strengthen community awareness and preparedness.
- Heritage Preservation — protecting and stewarding the historic character of Ocean Park, including the Ocean Park Community Hall, for current and future generations. Through ongoing maintenance of the Hall and its grounds, along with efforts to preserve and share local history through initiatives such as the Centennial Event, the now-retired Annual Heritage Tea, heritage podcast series, heritage street sign project, archives, and community storytelling, the OPCA helps ensure this important community landmark and the stories connected to it continue to serve and inspire the community for years to come.
- Community — organizing events, programs, and volunteer initiatives that bring neighbours together and keep the spirit of Ocean Park alive. From the Annual Halloween Parade and End-of-Summer Outdoor Movie Night, to Ocean Park Spring Cleaning events, invasive species removals, and community celebrations, the OPCA helps foster connection, pride, and belonging throughout the neighbourhood. The OPCA also supports the community by providing the Hall free of charge for initiatives such as the annual Toy Swap and other charitable events, while offering discounted rental rates for local groups, including Scouts. We also award the annual Citizenship Bursary to Ocean Park student volunteers who attend Elgin Park Secondary School and Earl Marriot French Immersion.
Over the past decade, the OPCA has hosted many additional community events and initiatives, including the now-retired Easter Parade, Family Day Amazing Race, Halloween Teen Dance, gingerbread decorating competitions, recycling fairs, pet parades, the Taste of Ocean Park (TOOP) the Annual Heritage Tea and more — all designed to bring neighbours together and strengthen community spirit.
These events don't happen without a community behind them. Our dedicated board, sponsors, local businesses, and dozens of volunteers make it all possible.
The Hall: A Living Heritage Landmark
The Ocean Park Community Hall is something genuinely rare: a hall that was built by community residents and is still operated by them. It's one of a few remaining independent community halls of its kind remaining in the Lower Mainland — a heritage building that continues to be governed by the people of the neighbourhood it was built to serve.
Walk through its doors, and you'll find a versatile, well-kept space perfect for gatherings of all kinds. The Hall features a main hall suitable for events and receptions, a stage for performances and presentations, a kitchen, and accessible washrooms. It has been freshly painted and well-maintained, with the OPCA board committed to ongoing investment in its preservation.
The Hall is available for rental by members and community groups for:
Walk through its doors, and you'll find a versatile, well-kept space perfect for gatherings of all kinds. The Hall features a main hall suitable for events and receptions, a stage for performances and presentations, a kitchen, and accessible washrooms. It has been freshly painted and well-maintained, with the OPCA board committed to ongoing investment in its preservation.
The Hall is available for rental by members and community groups for:
- Birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, anniversaries, and family gatherings
- Community group meetings, workshops, and classes
- Fitness groups, clubs, and hobby organizations
- Local business, neighbourhood and AGM meetings
Why the OPCA Matters — Now More Than Ever
The Ocean Park Community Association is one of the few remaining volunteer-led community associations of its kind — caring for the Hall, bringing neighbours together, preserving local history, and creating the events and traditions that make Ocean Park feel like home.
By being part of the OPCA, you help ensure these spaces, programs, and community traditions continue for future generations.
When you become a member, you are directly supporting:
● The preservation of a century-old heritage building
● Low-cost community programming for Ocean Park residents of all ages
● The beautification of the public spaces, gardens, and streetscapes that give Ocean Park its village charm
● Events and activities for all ages to strengthen community relations
● Creating a safer community
By being part of the OPCA, you help ensure these spaces, programs, and community traditions continue for future generations.
When you become a member, you are directly supporting:
● The preservation of a century-old heritage building
● Low-cost community programming for Ocean Park residents of all ages
● The beautification of the public spaces, gardens, and streetscapes that give Ocean Park its village charm
● Events and activities for all ages to strengthen community relations
● Creating a safer community
100th Anniversary Celebrations
This June, we celebrate a century of community. Our 100th Anniversary events take place June 5–6, 2026, with two days of programming for all ages:
have made this milestone celebration possible.
- Friday, June 5 — SOLD OUT! Heritage Trivia Night at the Hall. Test your knowledge on Ocean Park and the surrounding areas at this family-friendly evening.
- Saturday, June 6 — A full day of celebration, including a car show, heritage re-enactors stationed throughout the village, curated archival displays at the Hall, story time for kids with Leslee at Ocean Park Library, carnival games, kids’ entertainment and snacks, a Barbershop Quartet, a community cake-cutting and a family concert with the Ocean Park Wailers in the evening.
have made this milestone celebration possible.
Join the OPCA — Become Part of the Story
A community association is only as strong as its members. Membership in the OPCA gives you:
- 15% Discount for renting the Ocean Park Hall
- Monthly eblast featuring the latest Ocean Park News
- Eligibility to join the OPCA Youth Team and apply for our annual bursaries
- Contributing to the preservation and maintenance of our Ocean Park Hall
- Supporting our Board to offer fun events and activities for the Ocean Park Community.
Land & Place
As we celebrate and preserve Ocean Park’s community history, we also recognize that the story of this place began long before the village itself.
The Ocean Park Community Association respectfully acknowledges that we live, gather, and volunteer on the shared, unceded traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwantlen, and other Coast Salish Peoples, whose connection to this land continues today.
For over 100 years, community members have cared for this place through volunteerism, stewardship, and preservation efforts. Today, that care continues through local initiatives including invasive species removals, park cleanups, beautification projects, community safety efforts, and heritage preservation.
We recognize that stewardship of the land did not begin with the formation of the community association, and we are committed to approaching the history of Ocean Park with respect for the deeper histories, relationships, and knowledge connected to this place.
We encourage community members to learn more through the Semiahmoo First Nation Virtual Exhibit and follow the Semiahmoo First Nations Facebook page for events and activities.
The Ocean Park Community Association respectfully acknowledges that we live, gather, and volunteer on the shared, unceded traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwantlen, and other Coast Salish Peoples, whose connection to this land continues today.
For over 100 years, community members have cared for this place through volunteerism, stewardship, and preservation efforts. Today, that care continues through local initiatives including invasive species removals, park cleanups, beautification projects, community safety efforts, and heritage preservation.
We recognize that stewardship of the land did not begin with the formation of the community association, and we are committed to approaching the history of Ocean Park with respect for the deeper histories, relationships, and knowledge connected to this place.
We encourage community members to learn more through the Semiahmoo First Nation Virtual Exhibit and follow the Semiahmoo First Nations Facebook page for events and activities.