Coquitlam, and neighbouring Port Coquitlam, are suburbs of Vancouver. There aren’t any must-see attractions for the traveller, but there are a number of nice parks for walking or relaxing.
. . . Coquitlam . . .
Coquitlam borders Burnaby, Port Moody and New Westminster. It is easily accessible from the Trans Canada Highway, Lougheed Highway, Barnett Highway and North Road.
Skytrain’s Millennium Line connects Coquitlam directly with Vancouver, Burnaby and Port Moody. Public transit from Vancouver to Coquitlam is $5.60 on weekdays and $2.85 on weekends and evenings after 6:30PM.
The TransLink public transit system services all of Coquitlam with buses, Skytrain and the West Coast Express. Car access is easy and parking is free most places, although usually restricted close to Skytrain stations to prevent unauthorized park and ride. Park and Ride lots at the Coquitlam Central and Douglas Lafarge stations offer inexpensive all day parking. Taxis are easy to get locally and walking and cycling are options with several designated bike routes in the city.
- Colony Farm Regional Park, Colony Farm Rd (main entrance and parking is at the end of Colony Farm Rd), ☎+1 604 520-6442. Open during the day, closes at dusk. Popular spot with 8.5 km of trails and opportunities for birdwatching. An estimated 150 species of birds are in the park.
- 1 Como Lake Park, Gatensbury St (just south of Como Lake Ave). A small, man-made lake and park located in the center of residential Coquitlam. Exactly one kilometer in circumference, the lake is a popular attraction for morning walks, joggers, schoolchildren and occasionally fishermen – though the latter will frequently go home empty-handed.
- Mundy Park is a large urban forest which provides dog off-leash use until 10 am every morning. The park is often host to swim meets and soccer, baseball and lacrosse tournaments.
- Lafarge Lake park hosts a large tournament site, public ping pong tables, basket ball and tennis courts, and a band stand. It is also home to the Evergreen Cultural Centre which hosts gallery exhibits and live performances.
- Maillardville is a small community originally inhabited by French migrants sent to work in the local forest industry during the 19th Century. It is recognized as Western Canada’s largest French-Canadian community outside of Manitoba, though the French population continues to decline. There is the Place des Arts which hosts exhibitions and performances, and the Makin House Museum
- Minnekhada Regional Park, Quarry Rd, ☎+1 604 520-6442. Open during daylight hours. Gates close at dusk. 200+ acre park with 10 km of trails through forests and wetlands. Minnekhada Lodge, a heritage building where Queen Elizabeth once stayed, is open the first Sunday of each month from 1PM-4PM (except Jan).
- Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, at the end of Quarry Rd. Large park along Pitt Lake and Burke Mountain with hiking, camping, swimming and boating opportunities. Dayuse parking fee of $1/hour to a max of $3.
- The Coquitlam Crunch urban outdoor ‘stairmaster’ is primarily a fitness challenge.
. . . Coquitlam . . .