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Port
Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam is located in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver on
the north side of the Fraser River. Port Coquitlam commonly referred
to as 'Poco,' and is adjacent to the communities of Coquitlam
in the west and Pitt Meadows to the
east, with all three cities situated on Lougheed Hwy 7.
Natural
and Man-Made Borders
Port Coquitlam is bordered and defined by both natural and man-made
borders. Natural borders include the Pitt River in the east, the
Fraser River in the south, Coquitlam River in the west and the Trans-Canada
Trail and the DeBoville Slough in the north. For man-made borders,
there are the Canadian Pacific Railway with the largest railway
yard in British Columbia and Lougheed Hwy 7 which both cut the community
diagonally in half.
Shopping
Areas
The commercial and business sections of Port Coquitlam are mostly
on Shaughnessy Street and McAllister Avenue. There is also a new
shopping section on Dominion Avenue close to the Lougheed Hwy 7
called the Dominion Triangle. Here you can find a good selection
of coffee shops, restaurants, retailers and a Costco. For other
retailers and financial institutes, try the Poco Place Mall located
on Lougheed Hwy 7.
May
Day Festival
The May Day Festival occurring since 1923 is Port Coquitlam's big
event taking place in the beginning of May. The May Day Festival
lasts for one week ending on Mothers' Day. During the family event
you will be entertained with a parade including marching band, outdoor
concerts, kids' carnival including amusement rides, and a May Pole
dance.
Leigh
Square Community Arts Village
The Leigh Square Community Arts Village highlights arts and serves
as a cultural facility for the City of Port Coquitlam. Situated
in the central plaza downtown, the Leigh Square Community Arts Village
provides a beautiful facility for a wide variety of performers on
various stages, an inner courtyard and displays throughout the grounds
featuring a Ten Thousand Villages market.
Terry
Fox
Port Coquitlam was also home to Terry Fox, who is considered of
Canada's biggest heroes of the twentieth century with his cross-country
run to help find a cure for cancer. Terry Fox, who was born in Winnipeg
and later lived in Port Coquitlam, went to Port Coquitlam High School
and later Simon Fraser University. In honour of Terry Fox, Port
Coquitlam High School was renamed in 1986 to Terry Fox High School.
Hyde
Creek
For relaxation, try visiting Hyde Creek Recreation Centre where
there is an indoor pool complete with sauna, hot tub, a kids' water
slide and river-run nature trail. The trail leads you into the Hyde
Creek Nature Park past the Hyde Creek Hatchery and Education Centre.
There is ample parking and the facility is situated along the beautiful
Traboulay Poco Trail route.
Traboulay
Poco Trail
The Traboulay Poco Trail is a 25 km (16 miles) walking and cycling
trail that follows parts of the Coquitlam River through Colony Farm
Regional Park eventually encircling the community of Port Coquitlam.
The route follows DeBoville Slough, the Pitt and Fraser Rivers through
wetlands and agricultural land. The Traboulay Poco Trail has a number
of parking spots from which to choose and features a number of excellent
wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Kwikwetlem
First Nations
Where the Traboulay Poco Trail passes along the Coquitlam River,
it goes through the lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nations, a Coast
Salish Tribe. Situated just south of the Red Bridge on the Pitt
River Road that Port Coquitlam resides on has been the traditional
hunting ground of the Kwikwetlem First Nations.
Colony
Farm Regional Park
Situated next to the Coquitlam River, Colony Farm Regional Park
offers you beautiful nine km (six miles) of walking trails, six
km (four miles) of cycling paths, a picnic area and beautiful community
gardens. Colony Farm regional park also offers prime wildlife and
a bird breeding habitat featuring a chance to view coyotes, owls,
hawks and herons living in the nearby meadows and grasslands.
Pitt
Lake
Other wilderness areas close to Port Coquitlam include the Pitt
River where the fishing is world-famous and there is access into
Pitt Lake. Once into Pitt Lake you will be into the largest tidal
lake in the world. From here there is untold exploring into an area
that is told to contain Slumach's Lost Gold Mine - a fabled vein
of gold worth countless wealth.
Coquitlam
Parks
For other parks in the nearby area including parts of Coquitlam,
try visiting Coquitlam River Park, Pinecone Burke Provincial Park
and Minnekhada Regional Park.
Carnoustie
Golf Course
You can find some good golf at Carnoustie Golf Course located on
the north-east side near the Pitt River at 533 Dominion Avenue.
The 18-hole course features beautiful mountain views and plays throughout
well-established forested-lined fairways.
Salty's
Fish and Chips
If you love fish and chips try Salty's Fish & Chips located
at the corner of Prairie Avenue and Coast Meridian Road. A local
favourite Salty's is one of those friendly, one-owner Mom n' Pops
that serves great food featuring some of the best fish and chips.
Be
Bear Aware
If you do happen to be walking about, just remember that although
Port Coquitlam seems developed, it is only a stone's throw to wild
nature. With that in mind you could have possible encounters with
curious bears, cougars and wolves. Please follow proper wildlife-aware
techniques that include watching your children and pets.
Information
on Coquitlam
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