Outdoor Activities

#TreeoftheMonth

Common Name: Bigleaf Maple

Latin Name: Acer macrophyllum

The largest maple in Canada, the Bigleaf Maple can reach heights over 35 meters and can live over 150 years in age. The leaves have five lobes, turning golden yellow in the fall and the branches are often draped with mosses, ferns and lichens. 

Fun fact!

• The Bigleaf Maple has the largest leave of all the maples in Canada, with some measuring over 30 centimeters across!

Marvelous Machines

Join the Coquitlam Parks team and learn about the marvelous machines that help the City keep our public outdoor green spaces healthy and groomed. In this series we feature:

• The Ventrac
• The Tree Chipper
• The Parks Tractor
• The Parks Mower

Stay tuned for more marvelous machines coming soon!

Walk, Hike or Bike

Did you know there are over 90 kilometres of trails in Coquitlam? Take a look at our Trail Finder to go for a walk, hike or bike. The trail surfaces are suitable to all types of activities and some are wheelchair accessible.

Find a Trail Less Traveled

Avoid the crowds and try these trail options:

• Burke Mountain loop 1 – mixed surfaces, some steep sections (2 km)
• Burke Mountain loop 2 – mixed surfaces, some steep sections (3.2 km)
• Mackin Park loop - hard surface, flat, stair-free (1 km)
• Riverview Forest loop - unpaved, mainly flat with some moderate inclines (2 km)
• Rochester Park loop - incline, approx 240 stairs (592 m)

Go Fishing in a Local Lake

Whether you're age three or 83, fishing is an activity that can be enjoyed by all, and here in Coquitlam, you don't have to travel far to cast your line.

Grab your fishing rods and find a quiet space to fish for rainbow trout at Como Lake or Lafarge Lake.

Don’t forget! B.C. freshwater sport fishing licenses are required for recreational lake fishing for age 16 and over. You can purchase them online through the government of B.C. website (just $10 for the day for British Columbians) or get more info at GoFishBC. No license is required if you're under 16 years old.

Go on an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

There is a lot of nature within Coquitlam's borders. Take time to explore, and while you are at it, try searching for some items on our Outdoor Scavenger Hunt.

• Find three different types of leaves.
• Find two different pine cones.
• Look for something round.
• Find something smooth.
• Find something rough.
• How many benches do you count?
• How many picnic tables do you count?
• How many signs do you count in the Park?

Document your scavenger hunt and everything you find. Share your photos on Twitter and Instagram and tag @CityofCoquitlam #CoquitlamSPIRIT. 

Hug a Tree

Don't lose your hugging skills while physically distancing – hug a tree!

• Find the perfect tree. Look for a tree that is special to you or one you simply like, in your yard, a local park or anywhere in the City.
• Get a family member to snap a photo of your favourite tree with your arms wrapped around it.
• Post your photo to social media, tagging @CityofCoquitlam and #CoquitlamSPIRIT.

Outdoor Photo Hunt

There is beauty all around us. On your next walk, bring your camera and snap photos of birds, tree and nature in action.

Take a selfie with a:

• Tree
• Pine cone
• Flower
• Jumping in the air 
• Bench

Upload your photos to social media tagging #CoquitlamSPIRIT.

Rock Art Garden

Gather a few rocks and decorate them with messages of support for your community to create a one of a kind rock art garden. Display your rock art in your front yard, balcony and online.

On your next walk, leave your rocks along trails and in parks for others to enjoy. 

Supplies:

• Rocks of different shapes and sizes
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Markers

 Snap a picture of your rock art garden and upload it to Twitter or Instagram tagging @CityofCoquitlam and #CoquitlamSPIRIT.