Park named after former Langley school superintendent

The new Willoughby neighbourhood park currently being built in southeast Yorkson will be named “Richard Bulpitt Park,” in honour of a former Langley school superintendent who passed away in 2007.

The park will be located east of Richard Bulpitt Elementary School, which opened in September at 20965 77A Ave.

The decision was announced at the Monday, Feb. 17 Langley Township council meeting.

“Richard made a lasting impression on the Langley School District and the community as a whole,” Mayor Jack Froese said.

“It is fitting that his name and memory will live on through this park.”

Bulpitt, a father of five and grandfather of 17, spent 35 years in education.

He was a principal at Belmont, Fort Langley Elementary, and Noel Booth Elementary and Langley Fine Arts School before becoming superintendent of  the Langley School District from 1996 to 2001.

Bulpitt was working as a missionary in Vietnam with his wife Valerie in 2007, when he died of a heart attack.

“Those who knew Richard saw that he truly believed family was the most important thing, whether it was your family at home or the family you work with,” Froese said. “He recognized the importance of taking care of others, and the value of furthering yourself through education.”

When it opens in 2015, Richard Bulpitt Park will have two full-sized sand turf soccer fields, a neighbourhood baseball backstop, a perimeter trail for cyclists and pedestrians, and a children’s play area with seating for park users.

The school is one of three new schools built or under construction in Willoughby in recent years. Lynn Fripps Elementary is located on 83 Avenue, and a new middle school is under construction on 84 Avenue.