Langley Township has won two awards from the BC Recreation and Parks Association.

The Township's urban gardens have been recognized for environmental leadership, and the Willoughby Community Park was given the Parks and Open Spaces Award.

It was the Langley Demonstration Garden and the Community Garden in Murrayville that won the Township the green prize.

The demonstration garden is an active demonstration of waste reduction through composting, water-wise gardening, pesticide reduction, backyard habitats, and sustainable home and garden practices.

It also offers workshops that inspire residents to adopt sustainability practices in their homes and gardens, and has popular summer Eco-Explorer day camp programs for children.

The Community Garden projects promote local food procurement and food self-reliance, and allow residents to grow food that is affordable, organic, and grown close to home.

"These garden projects raise awareness and foster appreciation of the natural environment, while inspiring sustainability practices in the homes and gardens of Langley residents and others," said BCRPA chief executive officer Suzanne Allard Strutt. "The Township of Langley has done more than just declare its dedication to protecting natural resources; it has illustrated its dedication through the Langley Demonstration Garden and Community Garden projects."

That dedication is further illustrated in the development of Willoughby Community Park.

To develop a space that was planned, designed, built and programmed with the best interest of all park users in mind, the Township first had to solve the issues of the park's proximity to the Latimer Creek watershed and how to handle water runoff.

Rather than just creating the usual detention pond within the park, the Township developed a landscape guideline for the pond, utilizing native trees and shrubs, increasing the visual appeal of the park and also bringing wildlife habitation back to the area.

Rain gardens featuring native plants were created in the park plaza area and storm-water bioswales were incorporated into the parking lot designs. Both storm-water strategies recharge groundwater and slow down stormwater discharge from storm events.

"Willoughby Community Park offers something for everyone with its playgrounds, picnic areas, sports venues, amphitheatre and spray park, and makes a concerted effort to incorporate the area's natural elements and protect the surrounding environment," Strutt said.