COQUITLAM, B.C., May 18, 2021 – Coquitlam parks and gardens will come alive over the coming months with park pop-ups for youth and families, pollinator selfie stations, and more.
Starting this month, Coquitlam’s Parks team is leading a range of activities through the City’s Park Spark, Coquitlam in Bloom and CoquitlamSPIRIT programs to encourage residents of all ages to get outside – whether in their garden or a local green space.
Join the Fun with Park Spark
Park Spark, Coquitlam’s park public engagement program, has kicked off a series of free pop-up events this month for youth and families at parks around the community. Participants can sign up for a time slot to join the Park Spark team for fun, physically-distanced activities and games. Details and a registration link are at www.coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
Other free hands-on activities in Coquitlam’s parks this spring and summer will include themed drop-ins, a June 12 plant sale by the Dogwood Garden Club (registration required), and park care programs such as litter clean-up and volunteer gardening at the Inspiration Garden at Town Centre Park and other City parks. Visit the website or contact parkspark@coquitlam.ca for information.
Help Coquitlam Bloom
Each year, the City participates in the national Communities in Bloom civic pride and beautification program with various Coquitlam in Bloom activities. This year’s program focuses on pollinators – bees, butterflies and other insects that help flowers and vegetables grow – and activities aimed at engaging residents in their community.
Information about these and other 2021 projects can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/cib:
- Hope is Growing – Join the City’s gardeners and plant yellow flowers in your garden at home to recognize the international colour of hope, then register at www.hopeisgrowing.ca and share photos of your garden on social media with the hashtag #hopeisgrowing and #Coquitlam.
- Pollinators – Support and learn about the health and diversity of pollinators through activities such as pollinator-friendly flower and seed giveaways, pop-up selfie stations, park signs with fun facts, and a community fence-painting project to beautify local parks.
- Coquitlam Munch – Visit Austin Heights to enjoy and take home samples from the edible flower, herb and vegetable planters maintained by area businesses.
- Volunteer – Support local not-for-profit organizations that are struggling through the pandemic by volunteering your time and talents. Through its Community Support and Recovery Program, the City has set up a Community Volunteer Support Hub to connect volunteers with groups needing help. Learn more at www.coquitlam.ca/csrp.
CoquitlamSPIRIT
Promoted as part of this year’s Coquitlam in Bloom activities, CoquitlamSPIRIT is a free online library of ideas and resources to help residents stay active, healthy and connected during the pandemic. The Outdoors link at www.coquitlam.ca/spirit offers activities such as:
- The Parks team’s new Marvelous Machines videos about tractors and other machines that keep City parks healthy and clean;
- Bloom of the Week, which highlights a different flower each week and encourages residents to post photos of their own gardens;
- Information about local trails and fishing holes;
- Garden mocktails and fitness at the park videos; and
- Fun outdoor selfie ideas and more.
About Park Spark
The Park Spark team will be creating fun and engaging experiences outdoors and online throughout 2021. Watch for COVID-safe in-person activities at Coquitlam parks at www.coquitlam.ca/parkspark, as well as virtual programming at www.coquitlam.ca/spirit. Plans include returning activities like Inspiration Garden volunteering, Adopt-a-Park, Coquitlam Remembers and the Park Spark Light Brigade, along with new outdoor opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities, such as park pop-ups. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/volunteer to volunteer for Park Spark, or email parkspark@coquitlam.ca.
About Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering community pride, environmental responsibility and beautification. It uses friendly competition between communities to bring together local businesses, service clubs, residents and civic government to focus on enhancing their community. Learn more at www.communitiesinbloom.ca. Coquitlam’s participation is outlined at www.coquitlam.ca/cib.
Stay Informed
To keep up-to-date on program offerings and receive bi-weekly updates, subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at www.coquitlam.ca/enews.
Stay informed about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Wendy Wiederick
Parks Operations Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386 (4FUN)
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca