Much like many of my previous walks in Surrey, Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest is a second growth forest. However the biggest difference is that the area reforested itself naturally and was not planted like most of the other treed areas in Surrey. The park also has been targeted by volunteers who have worked hard to keep out the invasive species which are endemic in many urban settings. Upon first entering the park the difference is not obvious.

The big difference in the vegetation only becomes apparent when you really look at the vegetation you are walking through. The variety of trees and bushes far exceeds anything seen in an area that was manually reforested. Unlike other parks, most turns in the trail revealed a different species of plant. Without really searching I was able to find four species of edible berries that I remember from my youth but had not seen in any of my other walks. We also saw Salmon berries but they are common enough on other trails that I didn't even bother to take their photo. My daughter's and I got to talk about some of the native plants they don't usually see, as well as to compare them to the invasive blackberries we saw everywhere as soon as we left the park and walked along the roadway.

There is a loop of well maintained and well marked trails through the trees, which were shady and quiet on this hot summer day. The main route is approximately 4 km but does take the walker along 148th St at one point. This is a pleasant and easy route that was not especially busy even in the middle of summer. Parking is limited at the trail entrances, with parking right on the street at one trail head. This is a park for a nature lover who wants to see plant life that they do not normally get to experience within the city. I wish I had taken a plant identification guide or a more knowledgeable person with me as there are said to be some very rare plants in the park and I very easily could have walked right past them.

One area did not appear as natural, but upon returning home and completing some research the cause was apparent. The park suffered an outbreak of a root rot desease and a small area of trees had to be culled. This area is now filled with younger healthy trees, but the age difference is very apparent as one passes through this section.