Hi, I’m Rebecca (Becky), elementary school teacher and new mom to a 4-month-old named Simon. I grew up in Vancouver but moved to Coquitlam three years ago. Our family chose the Burke Mountain neighbourhood for the great views and easy access to mountains and trails. Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park is only a few kilometers from our house, and we spend much of our time hiking, mountain biking and exploring the area. We are excited for Simon to join us on these adventures soon.
Coquitlam is part of the Tri-Cities, a slightly confusing term that encompasses the municipalities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. The TriCities are on the unceded traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and within the shared territory of the Katzie, Musqueam, Qayqayt, Squamish, and Sto’:lo Nations. Buntzen Lake, Sasamat Lake, and təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park are well-known gems of the region, and the Lights at Lafarge are a must-visit attraction in December. This post highlights some lesser-known but no less exciting family-friendly spots in our beautiful corner of Metro Vancouver.
Burke Mountain Playgrounds
First on the list are the parks on Burke Mountain. Queenston Park, with its unique slope and climbing features, deservedly makes a lot of the “best playgrounds in Metro Vancouver” lists. Nearby Riley Park has a very fun playground for kids aged one and up and view of the valley below. It also has long, grassy hills that are great for tobogganing in the winter (or Slip ‘N Slides in the summer). A brand-new café with a large patio is slated to open late this year (or more likely early 2022) one block from the park.
Next summer, the new Sheffield Park will open a little farther north. So far, the plans look great with playgrounds set into the hill like those in Riley and Queenston parks as well as a spray park and basketball court. Simon will definitely make use of the spray park when the heat waves hit next summer!
Mundy Park
Mundy Park is an expansive, forested park in the southwest part of Coquitlam. The endless list of amenities makes Mundy a perfect destination for families. Our dog loves the four-kilometer Perimeter Loop (off-leash before 10:00 AM daily), but there are many other trails crisscrossing the middle and outer edges of the park, as well as a five-and-a-half-kilometer paved route that’s great for walking and wheeling. All the trails are smooth and stroller (or run bike) accessible. There is also a recently upgraded playground set in the forest that reminds me of a high ropes course with an adjacent toddler play area.
Another fun spot for kids is the Spani Outdoor Pool in the middle of the park. The pool is undergoing renovations and will be reopened in 2023 with new features like a lazy river and “beach” entry. On the other side of the park there is a bike skills zone that can be used by the youngest of riders, and just across the street, there is a new mountain bike trail through the Riverview Forest that is suitable for older kids.
Minnekhada Regional Park
Minnekhada is a great park that is growing in popularity as hiking experiences its pandemic boom. There are many different trail options with hikes suitable for kids of all ages. This park is not stroller accessible and it is definitely more of a hike (wear sturdy shoes) than Mundy Park. With younger kids, a walk to the “lake” in late May or early June to see the turtles and frogs is a great option. The Low or High Knoll trails are suitable for ages eight and up (although I have seen hardy six-year olds make the trek)! Note that this park is a black bear habitat – we see one almost every time we visit – so read up on bear safety before visiting!
Poco-Traboulay Trail
This is a 26 km network of trails that loop around the city of Port Coquitlam. The route is entirely flat and mostly hard-packed gravel and passes through forest, along riverside dykes, and through short residential sections. This is a very family-friendly option for walking or rolling. My favourite part of the trail goes from Wellington Park to the Coquitlam River. The forest through this section is so lush and the winding trail through Wellington Park is fun for cyclists of all ages. The wide dyke section along the Pitt River is suitable for bike trailers, but ride with caution as is can get busy on sunny days. The absolute best time to visit the Traboulay Trail is late October when the salmon arrive near the Hyde Creek hatchery. You can spot salmon fighting their way upstream and sometimes even see bears in the creek fishing for them! There is a salmon festival that takes place at the hatchery as well (cancelled in 2020 but hopefully returning soon).
Port Moody Bakeries and Cafés
The best bakeries in the Tri-Cities are concentrated in a small area in Port Moody. One of my favourites is Gabi and Jules Handmade Pies and Baked Goodness, where they make delicious pies and other treats. When the pandemic started, the indoor seating area closed, but now there is a patio with covered tables instead. A new bakery, Cascadia Bakehouse, recently opened across the street. They do not have a seating area, but they do have wonderful bread and a small selection of baked goods that you could take over to Rocky Point Park for a picnic. A couple blocks south-east of Gabi and Jules is a coffee shop called Black Sugar Coffee House that has a small, indoor children’s play area. This is a nice spot to meet a friend and let the younger kids play.
Pro-tip: skip the Gabi and Jules line by going to Café Divano (owned by the same family and carries many of the same treats) at their Port Moody or Coquitlam location instead.
