With more than 90 kilometres of trails and 3,400 acres of parks and green spaces, Coquitlam offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
COQUITLAM, B.C., April 23, 2020 – With more than 90 kilometres of trails and 3,400 acres of parks and green spaces, Coquitlam offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
Based on advice from the Provincial Health Officer, the City continues to encourage residents to get outside for their physical and mental health – as long as they are not sick and they stay at least two metres away from people not from their household.
With World Parks Week coming up April 25 to May 3, the City is recommending that residents seek out some of Coquitlam’s less crowded outdoor spaces – like their neighbourhood park – when they need a dose of nature and fresh air.
A Reasonable Approach
Most people are following the rules and as a result, the City has been taking a common-sense approach to enforcement.
For example, while sports fields remain closed to organized sports and pick-up games, safe family use is permitted by members of the same household, including picnicking, walking or kicking around a soccer ball.
Find a Peaceful Park or a Trail Less Travelled
At busier parks and trails around the City, Park Hosts are now stationed daily to enforce physical distancing, along with stricter rules such as one-way traffic and single-file use in some locations at peak times.
Rather than frequenting the hotspots, residents are encouraged to explore some of Coquitlam’s lesser known – and therefore less crowded – parks and trails. There is a lot to choose from:
- More than 90 kilometres of trails, many of which link to active park sites;
- More than 66 parks totaling about 1,400 acres, including nearly 20 community parks and 36 neighbourhood parks;
- Almost 2,000 acres of natural green space; and
- Thirty-two playing fields, available for informal use by members of the same household.
A hidden gem may be just down the street. The www.coquitlam.ca/parkfinder webpage allows users to filter parks by neighbourhood or amenity, or search their address on a map to find nearby spots.
Trail Etiquette During the Pandemic
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, residents who are walking, cycling or hiking outdoors, residents are advised to:
- Stay home when sick or displaying any allergy, cold or flu symptoms;
- While in public, stay two metres away from others not from your household at all times, and leave if this isn’t possible;
- Follow all hygiene precautions, such as washing hands, before, during and after use of parks or trails;
- Walk single-file and/or step off the trail when passing people coming from the opposite direction;
- Warn other trail users of your presence when passing from behind; and
- Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
World Parks Week 2020
Parks for All is the 2020 theme for World Parks Week, organized by the World Urban Parks organization to celebrate and promote parks and green spaces. This year’s theme focuses on the challenges faced by civic leaders and planners to ensure parks are designed in ways that encourage children to spend more time outdoors, that support cities in coping with climate change, and that bring communities together. For more information, find the Parks Week 2020 link at www.worldurbanparks.org.
Be Informed
For up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 impacts to City facilities, programs, services and events:
Coquitlam residents are encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information.
For more information on COVID-19, including updates, answers to frequently asked questions, and translated information, please consult the following resources: