A new pedestrian crossing open today on Guildford Way will provide more options for accessing the Coquitlam Crunch trail.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Dec. 7, 2020 – A new pedestrian crossing open today on Guildford Way will provide more options for accessing the Coquitlam Crunch trail.
The new signalized crossing will allow trail users to add a 10-minute (750-metre) warmup to their hike by parking at Eagle Ridge Park off Runnel Drive rather than busy Lansdowne Drive.
Located on Guildford Way between Lansdowne Drive and Falcon Drive, the crosswalk is one of several improvements coming to one of Coquitlam’s most popular outdoor attractions.
Enhancements Support Trail Users and Neighbours
With the trail’s steep 2.2-kilometre climb and spectacular views, “doing the Crunch” is a popular local fitness challenge. The trail typically sees as many as 52,000 people each month during peak season, but that number has increased this year as more people are heading outside for fitness, mental health and recreational purposes.
The new crossing on Guildford Way is among the short-term improvements planned between fall and spring to enhance the trail network, increase safety and comfort for users, and address impacts on the neighbourhood. Plans include working with residents to develop solutions for parking issues, adding signs for parking and promoting public safety, increasing traffic enforcement and patrols, and doubling the capacity of the Lansdowne Drive parking lot.
The City also recently updated its four-phase Coquitlam Crunch Trail and Expansion Plan to address the safety and capacity issues over the long term. Changes include prioritizing a 1.3-km trail extension south of Dewdney Trunk Road – known as Crunch Trail South Extension– and deferring planned viewing decks and exercise equipment in the existing 2.2-km section.
Information about the Crunch Trail South Extension conceptual design process and public consultation will be posted at www.coquitlam.ca/parkprojects in the new year.
Please Consider Crunch Neighbours
Users of the Crunch are encouraged to respect the area’s residents by:
- Using the parking lots at Eagle Ridge Park (2635 Runnel Dr.), Bramble Park (2775 Panorama Dr.) or off Lansdowne Drive (north of Guildford Way, west of Charter Hill Drive) rather than parking on the street;
- Walking, cycling or taking transit to the area whenever possible;
- Obeying all traffic laws, including avoiding U-turns;
- Not parking in front of area homes or using private driveways to turn around; and
- Using crosswalks and being cautious when crossing roads on foot.
Stay Up to Date on City Projects and Initiatives
Stay up to date about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Andre Isakov
Park Planning & Design Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3541
aisakov@coquitlam.ca