David Hancock and Karen Bills of Hancock Wildlife Foundation View Eagles

And while you’re visiting the area, check out the scenery aboard a riverboat tour with Fraser River Safari.  For schedules and tour details visit www.fraserriversafari.com.

Sandpiper Golf Resort's Owner, Betty Anne Faulkner and eagle,Sonsie share a wink

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is working with the team at Xa:ytem Interpretive Centre  during the festival as well.  Drop by to see the live exhibit of the Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl and maybe, if you’re lucky, Meredith the Bald Eagle may be visiting.  Xa:ytem features local native art and gifts in their First Nations gift gallery too.  There are great gift ideas for Christmas.  For directions and hours of operation visit www.xaytem.ca.

Extend your eagle viewing adventure with an overnight stay at Sandpiper Golf Resort and Rowena’s Inn.  This exquisite heritage Manor is the former summer home of the Pretty Family. Filled with favourite family antiques and heirlooms, including a photo wall revealing the faces of the family behind the home, the ambiance is cultured and luxurious.  Enjoy a lavish hot and cold breakfast in the solarium located off the main dining lounge, or stay in one of the four west coast chic cabins – each complete with king-sized bed, soaker jacuzzi tub and river rock fireplace – a perfect retreat to relax with a glass of wine while admiring the view out over the river.  Whether you choose to stay at the Inn or in a cabin, the eagles will soar past gracing you with their majesty.  Visit www.sandpiperresort.ca for package details.

The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society – OWL – is a dynamic organization comprised of people who care deeply about the safety of birds of prey.  The web site offers information on educational programs and special events, as well as contact information should you site a bird in need.  Please visit www.owlcanada.ca.

All Photos Courtesy of R. Bond, CtoC Productions

Interior cabin at Sandpiper Golf Resort and Rowena's Inn

But these types of trails are hard to navigate when you’ve got a set of wheels: a baby buggy, a walking stroller or a wheelchair. Pushing them uphill on non-paved surfaces with obstacles in the way make for a tough workout for new parents or the disabled.

This summer, The Tri-City News contacted parks and leisure representatives in the Tri-Cities to see what universally accessible trails they had in their jurisdictions.

COQUITLAM

- Town Centre Park: Users can take two routes: the one-kilometre loop of Lafarge Lake or the 2.7-kilometre perimetre path that circles the entire park between Guildford Way and David Avenue. The shorter trail has plenty of rest stops and picnic areas while the longer way includes views of the Evergreen Cultural Centre, in the south, and sports fields, in the north. The city is also planning to open a demonstration garden, at the corner of Guildford and Pipeline, within the next few months. For those looking for a completely even surface, there’s a path around the Perry Percy Stadium. Park on Pinetree Way or on Park Roadway.

- Hoy Creek: Close to Town Centre Park is the unpaved Hoy Creek Trail, which the city considers an accessible pathway. The complete route starts at Barnet Highway, meanders north to Glen Drive and continues up to Guildford Way before it intersects with the Trans-Canada Trail. Stop to take a look at the Hoy Creek salmon rearing pond and hatchery before proceeding to White Pine Place, west of Pinetree secondary. The trail re-starts above Pinewood Drive, west of the Town Centre firehall, and up to David Avenue before the connection begins for Westwood Plateau trails.

- Mundy Park Community Path: This paved perimetre trail, between Como Lake and King Albert avenues, goes through Hillcrest middle and passes by Spani Pool, the disc golf course and sports fields before heading to the north end of Carmen Street. The trail then diverts to King Albert Avenue and Hickey Street before re-entering the park and north along the hydro right of way. The city asks dog owners to have their pooches on leash while on this trail. Best to park off of Mariner Way.

- Como Lake: Though this unpaved trail is not officially designated as an accessible trail, the terrain is flat enough for a baby buggy – and the view is peaceful and pretty as well. The lakeside loop is 1.2-kilometres long and passes by a wetland, picnic areas, Como Creek, fishing docks and the Kinsmen Kiddie Playground. The city plans to tear down and replace the washrooms this fall. Park off Gatensbury Street.

- Mackin Park: This unpaved perimetre trail is designated as an accessible path by the city. Located at 1046 Brunette Ave., in Maillardville, the trail passes by three softball fields and a Little League baseball field as well as Nelson Creek.

Trail maps can be picked up at Coquitlam civic leisure facilities including CCAC, Chimo Pool as well as the library branches and city hall. For more details on the accessibility of Coquitlam trails, call 604-927-3546.

PORT COQUITLAM

- Traboulay PoCo Trail: This 25-kilometre flat trail circles the city; however, the only paved part is from Lougheed Highway to the Red Bridge. Still, users can pass by a varied landscape that includes forests and creeks, meadows and marsh, riverfront and urban development. Started in 1967 as part of a national centennial project, the trail didn’t take shape until the early 1970s when the PoCo Trailblazers stepped in. In 2001, the city added the name “Traboulay” to honour the late mayor Len Traboulay. For a virtual tour, visit the city’s website at http://www.seevirtual360.com/themes/2/theme02.aspx?listingID=5224.

PORT MOODY

- Shoreline Trail: This three-kilometre, horse-shoe shaped paved path follows the inlet between Rocky Point Park pier and Old Orchard on the north shore. There are two parallel trails: a dirt trail for walkers and a paved pathway for cyclists, inline skaters, baby strollers and wheelchairs. The trail connects the city’s six waterfront parks: Rocky Point, Inlet, Town Centre, Shoreline, Old Orchard and Tidal parks. Best to park at Rocky Point Park.

The Tri-Cities is blessed with numerous seaside picnic spots. What’s great about them is you don’t have to travel far – but you’d better set out early because many of these picnic spots fill up early.

Here’s our list of top Tri-City picnic sites.

1. Belcarra Regional Park. For beauty and variety, check out this fabulous park. Covering more than 1,100 hectares in the Village of Anmore, the Village of Belcarra and the city of Port Moody, Belcarra Regional Park is one of the largest parks in the Metro Vancouver system. There are open air picnic tables, and covered picnic shelters you can rent (604-4432-6352), a public dock where you can watch the daily catch by local fishermen and crabbers, trails, a small rocky beach and a concession that operates in the summer for cold drinks and ice cream.

To get there take St. Johns Street (Port Moody) or Barnet Highway (Coquitlam), turn onto Ioco Road, continue to 1st Avenue, turn right. Follow 1st Avenue as it becomes Bedwell Bay Road to the three-way stop. Turn left, travel uphill to Tum-tumay-whueton Drive and keep right to the picnic area parking lot. You’ll see people of various cultures cooking their meals on small hibachis, several pick-up games of soccer and more.

Metro Vancouver parks also hosts the program What Lies Beneath, which teaches children what creatures live in the ocean. The first program is Sunday, July 5. No registration is required.

2. White Pine Beach. If you want to see some lovely scenery and swim in warm water, head out to this popular spot, also part of Belcarra Regional Park. It’s fun for all members of the family and a favourite place for tanning and picnicking. The wide sandy beach is great for children and the water isn’t too deep, but keep watch – there is no lifeguard. There’s a concession here, too, if you don’t bring your own food.

To get there, take the same route as for Belcarra Regional Park. Traveling along Bedwell Bay Road you’ll see the park entrance on the right. Make sure you take your garbage with you; leaving it behind makes a big mess for the next park visitor. Use garbage cans provided.

The best times to get there on hot sunny days are before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m., when parking is more available. If you’re picking up someone, set the time for after 3 p.m. so you can get into the park. It closes once the parking lot fills up but opens up again when there is space.

3. Buntzen Lake Recreation Area fills up early, too. Many veterans suggest getting there before 8 a.m. on a sunny weekend to get a spot. Buntzen Lake, located just north of Ioco approximately 30 kilometers from Vancouver, is a BC Hydro reservoir. It is 4.8 km long and covers an area of 182 hectares. The picnic spot is popular for picnics and barbecues and by late afternoon on a sunny day a fog of barbecue smoke hangs above the tree tops.

It’s a good idea to bring your own food, as none is available. Children can paddle in the water but have them wear runners or water shoes so their feet don’t get hurt. There are picnic tables, a shelter and grassy play areas, as well as car-top boat and canoe launch areas and dock.

Canoe rentals are available at the Anmore Store located on Sunnyside Road. Call 604-469-9928.

Buntzen is also great for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and nature trails, developed viewpoints and interpretive displays. There is drinking water and a designated area for dogs.

To get there, turn left onto St. Johns Street, turn left onto Ioco Road, which becomes Heritage Mountain Boulevard, turn right onto David Avenue at the roundabout, turn left onto Forest Park Way; turn left onto Apsenwood Drive, which becomes East Road. Follow East Road to its end then turn right onto Sunnyside Road, and continue to the entrance gate.

For more information visit,www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/buntzen_lake.html.

4. Rocky Point Park in Port Moody is an ideal picnic spot. Not only does it connect up to Shoreline Park with its terrific views of Burrard Inlet, but there is a new water park and playground area, an outdoor pool, a boat launch with parking, bike trials area and a skateboard park. If you don’t bring your own lunch, snack on ice cream and fish and chip concessions. The Boathouse Restaurant is also located in the park.

It’s a great place to bird watch, start a bicycling trip, have an ice cream and people watch.

The park is located on Murray Street. To get there, travel east on St. Johns Street, turn left at Moody Street, which swings over the park on an overpass. Turn left at the intersection and left again at the park.

Have a great summer!

The Tri-City News

Looking for a fun way to cool off in the dog days of summer? Checking out the Tri-Cities’ beautiful natural surroundings from the water is a great way to spend time with friends and family, whether it’s paddling a lake in the middle of the city or hoisting the sails to explore Burrard Inlet and beyond.

All you need is some sunscreen, a picnic, a sense of adventure – and this guide to help you navigate the many ways you can boat or float in Tri-City waters.

READY, SET, LAUNCH

There are several spots throughout the Tri-Cities where boaters can get their craft from the car to the water – it just depends on where you’d like to go, what you’d like to see and see and how you’d like to do it.

In Port Moody boaters of all kinds can launch at the Rocky Point Park docks.

From that point there’s plenty to see in the inlet and beyond, from herds of seals sunning themselves on the log boom near Pacific Coast Terminals to bird nests of all kinds closer to the PoMo shores.

For those with a larger craft, boat trailer parking is available at the launch lot, along Esplanade Street and at the West Coast Express station in the spaces west of Hugh Street (evenings and weekends only). Fees for launching and parking are $18 (daily) or $133 (annual residents’ pass; non-residents pay $234). Go to www.cityofportmoody.com (click on “Parks) for further information.

Don’t have your own watercraft? No problem. Kayak and canoe rentals, as well as tours, lessons and camps, are available at Rocky Point Kayak. Check www.rockypointkayak.com or call 604-619-2837 for prices and details.

Head a little further north and check out the hidden beaches of Indian Arm, reachable only by boat. Places like Boulder and Jug Islands are just a short distance away and, for the more determined paddlers, there are the Twin Islands, which also offers camping.

For rentals check out Takaya Tours in Belcarra Regional Park. This first nations business is run by the Tsleil-Waututh, known as the “people of the inlet.” In addition to canoe and kayak rentals Takaya also offers tours that incorporate the band’s songs and stories, as well as a motorized eco-cultural exploration to see pictographs, islands and waterfalls.

Belcarra’s launch is for car-top carry-in boats at high tide (no power boat launching). Visit www.takayatours.com, or call 604-936-0236 for more information.

Another option in Belcarra Regional Park is the Sasamat Outdoor Centre on the shores of Sasamat Lake. The whole family can enjoy a camping and canoeing getaway – without the hassles of a long drive – at this scenic spot. There are loads of courses and camping options here, and instructors can also tailor a session for your needs.

The launch is open to car-top carry-ins (non-motorized craft only). Check www.sasamat.org or call 604-939-2268 for details.

Buntzen Lake, located in the Village of Anmore, sits between the mountains of the Buntzen and Eagle ridges and offers fantastic scenery.

Paddle straight up the lake to North Beach and spot the entrance to the 4.5-kilometre tunnel that connects Buntzen with the slightly higher Coquitlam Lake to the east. The tunnel was built at the turn of the century underneath Eagle Ridge; BC Hydro uses water from Coquitalm to raise or lower the level at Buntzen, which then drains 400 feet down into the Buntzen powerhouses on Indian Arm.

Bring a lunch in the boat, and hop out at North Beach. Trek over the suspension bridge to the trail that surrounds the lake and discover your own sunny picnic spot.

Like fishing? Buntzen Lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout from the Abbotsford fish hatchery, so don’t forget the rod and reel.

The launch is open to canoes, kayaks and small battery-powered motorboats. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the Anmore store on Sunnyside Road, just before the entrance to the park. Reservations, and an early arrival, are recommended. Call 604-469-9928.

If a river cruise is more your speed, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam are your best bets.

In PoCo, boats can be launched at the eastern end of Lincoln Avenue, where the DeBoville Slough runs into the Pitt River, and at the base of the Pitt River Bridge. Go west to Coquitlam for a trip on the mighty Fraser River; start from the Maquabeak Park boat launch ($6.95), located just under the Port Mann Bridge off of Burbidge Street.

Maquabeak, which is popular with the sea-doo set, offers several spots to fish or just take a walk down the beach. Quieter options include launching at the mouth of Pitt Lake and heading up Widgeon Creek or, a little further up the valley, to Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park. Keep your eyes open for wildlife in this area. Goose Island, at the mouth of DeBoville Slough, attracts groups for barbecues on the large sandy beach.

For more info on the Maquabeak launch call 604-933-6000; call 604-942-7371 to reach the Pitt River Boat Club.

LESSONS AND CLUBS

Learn all about things like halyards, jibing, mainsheets and rigging – and how they turn a boat into a swift sailing machine – with the Rocky Point Sailing Association.

The group has a variety of lessons and programs for all ages, abilities and interests, but be prepared to commit some time to this sport; it’s a steeper learning curve than other boating options, but sailing enthusiasts promise it’s well worth the effort.

The RPSA has summer camps for youth working towards a Canadian Yachting Association certification, and adults can also look into private lessons. Visit www.rpsa.ca for program and membership details.

Members in the Port Moody Canoe and Kayak Club (like the sailing association, it’s based in the Old Mill Boathouse) have access to a couple dozen canoes and kayaks, but you’ll need your own paddles and life jackets.

The club is open to all ages and abilities, and offers guided monthly outings in spring, summer and fall. See www.pmck.org for more information.

The Barnet Sailing Cooperative offers members a fleet of Catalina 27s and a 22-foot O’Day, as well as social events and cruises throughout B.C.’s coastline and in sun-filled destinations around the world.

Members are experienced sailors, and contribute boat maintenance or other skills in exchange for boat usage. Visit www.barnetsailing.bc.ca for more on this group.

PLAY SAFE

Every year millions of Canadians hit the water, but for more than 200 people it’s not a return trip.

Under federal law all operators of powered watercraft used for recreational purposes in Canada must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

The final deadline to get the card is Sept. 15 but boaters with a craft under four metres (13.1 feet), a sea-doo or jet ski and those aged 16 or under must have one immediately. There is no grandfather clause.

Boaters can take the exam online at www.boaterexam.com, where there are links to online study guides and options for classroom learning.

Looking for more information on boating safety and courses on things like marine radios? Check out the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron site at www.cps-epc.ca.

Now you can also rent a bike and go on a tour.

Kwikwetlem First Nation is once again running its Colony Farm Bike Tours. Last year, 1,600 kids came through the Colony Farm Bike Tours office as part of the company’s school package offering. But individuals and couples can also rent bikes and head out on their own or go on a tour.

Bike rentals cost $10 for one hour, $15 for two hours and $20 for three hours. Seniors 65 & older and children 12 and under ride for half price. Rain gear is provided. All you need is picture ID or a $200 deposit. Norco Comfort Mountain Bikes are provided and helmets are heat steam sterllized. Bike trailers and half bikes are also available for parents who want to tote their kids along.

From their site, right at the main entrance to the Metro Vancouver’s Colony Farm Regional Park, you can ride for hours along wide and flat packed limestoned trails that top all of the dykes.

Access is also available to PoCo/Troubalay trails and the beautiful Riverview grounds. Maps can be found in pamphlets provided for those who wish to go on their own adventure.

Tours cost $25 for two hours or $35 for three hours. Prices include bikes. These tours are guided and can be structured to meet your personal interests; whether it is to see the various salmon runs, snap a picture of the many varieties of birds or learn about the area’s history from a First Nation perspective.

For more information, check out Colony Farm Bike Tours and Rentals. Call 604-520-0090 or email info@colonyfarmbiketours.com

The long and winding road of Tum-tumay-whueton Drive takes visitors to one of the most scenic – and historical – recreation spots in the Tri-Cities: the picnic shelter at Belcarra Regional Park.

As legend has it, about 3,000 years ago, the region was once home to about 10,000 Coast Salish people during the winter and, in 1971, archaeologists found evidence of their village and activities, uncovering a midden with more than 1,000 artifacts, including bones, tools and remains of wigwams and fireplaces.

According to Takaya Tours, a First Nations company that conducts area tours, the Tsleil-Waututh are descendants of those Coast Salish people and, today, speak a dialect of the Halkomelem language and live near or around the Burrard Inlet.

In 1860, the First Nations people moved from the area known as “Tum-Ta-Mayh-Tun” (translation: the biggest place for people) and, about 60 years later, the Harbour Navigation Company ferried weekend visitors across the inlet to its Belcarra resort, which included a dance pavilion, wharf and cabins.

Although none of this remains, the area continues to be a popular site for hikers wanting to bask in the forested wonderland as well as picnic-goers, scuba divers, anglers, boaters, crabbers and beachcombers searching for prizes along the fertile tidal flats.

A word of warning, though: Groups that make reservations have exclusive use of the covered picnic shelter (complete with an electric barbecue and outdoor pit) and Canada Geese droppings litter the grassy field – so mind where you lay your blanket.

Paddlers, too, can explore Admiralty Point, to the south, and divers can head north to visit the nearby Indian Arm Provincial Marine Park’s Racoon and Twin islands or, further up, Croker Island.

For novice trekkers, the Admiralty Point Trail (7 km) is a perfect stretch that starts in the main parking lot and heads south; take a breather at Cod Rock Trail and enjoy the scenery of Burnaby Mountain, Cates Park and Deep Cove.

Another popular pathway is the moderate Jug Island Beach Trail (6 km), which also starts at the picnic area and ends with a view of Jug Island in Indian Arm. And the Springboard Trail (8 km) is good for cyclists or for people in wheelchairs; however, the connecting Woodhaven Trail (4.2 km) is steep and challenging.

Still, the picnic shelter and its surroundings are only one part of the sprawling 690-hectare GVRD park.

To the east lies Sasamat Lake – the region’s warmest fresh-water lake, well-known for its trout fishing and the sandy White Pine Beach.

Trails, including the easy Sasamat Lake loop (2.5 kilometres), Sugar Mountain trail (good for horseback riding) and the connecting Buntzen Ridge trail are well used but keep an eye out for wildlife as bears, cougars and coyotes have been spotted in the park.

And the Sasamat Outdoor Centre (604-939-2268 or www.sasamat.org) runs year-round and offers a variety of programs: day camp, canoe courses, leadership training and facility rentals for community and school groups.

GETTING THERE: To get to Belcarra Regional Park, follow Ioco Road in Port Moody west. Call 604-432-6359 or visit www.gvrd.bc.ca. Also, make sure to stop at the historic Ioco Village, built for Esso employees in the early 20th century.

MINNEKHADA REGIONAL PARK

If you’ve never wandered through the trails of Minnekhada Regional Park, now is the time to explore the area’s lush gardens, colourful marshes and the historic hunting lodge on the property.

“There are a number different hikes in very beautiful terrain,” said Frieda Schade, area manager for the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s parks department. “It’s unique for its rugged landscape of gently rolling farmland, with the marsh tucked in there surrounded by rugged hills.”

What is now the 212-hectare (523-acre) Minnekhada Park was once part of a larger farm that was owned by various people over the years, the most famous of whom was Eric Hamber. B.C.’s Lieutenant-Governor from 1936 to 1941, Hamber was a multi-millionaire industrialist with interests in logging, mills and manufacturing.

He bought the farm in the late 1920s and, in 1934, built Minnekhada Lodge, an architecturally designed model of a Scottish hunting lodge. It stands on a rocky outcropping and offers stunning views across the Pitt River Valley.

“It’s a magnificent building,” Schade said. “Eric Hamber really put his own signature on the lodge. It’s really an architecturally beautiful and unusual building.”

Because of Hamber’s ties to the logging industry, he had access to the finest timber and most highly-skilled craftsmen of the day, evidenced in the lodge’s great hall, which features a soaring ceiling about 30 feet high with massive exposed beams.

A significant portion of the park is the Minnekhada farm (closed to the public), which was also built and renovated by Hamber. He took what was previously a fairly modest barn and stable and turned it into a 50-stall stable where he raised thoroughbreds as well as polo ponies to use on the fields outside the stable.

The farm also features a dairy building, slaughterhouse and smokehouse. At one time, the property was home to hundreds of cattle, sheep and pigs and was a fully-functioning farm.

In its original capacity, the entire 607-hectare (1,500-acre) property stretched right down to the edge of the Pitt River. The GVRD acquired the lodge and marsh from the province in 1983 and, in 1995, acquired the then 45-hectare (112-acre) farm as part of the Nature Legacy Program. Most of the buildings, which had been leased out and were basically in ruins, have since been stabilized so they won’t continue to deteriorate.

These days, the farm is only opened up every three to five years for an open house, though Schade said it will one day be fully open to the public.

“I think the public will be surprised to see the variety of buildings, all dating from the 1920s and ’30s. One day, it will be an incredible educational asset; the park today is mainly thought of as the lodge and trails but there’s potential for so much more.”

There are 10 km of trails for leisurely walking and hiking, as well as opportunities for bird watching or simply enjoying the view from one of several outlooks. Minnekhada is suitable for exploring throughout the year and each season brings a new swath of colour and activity to the park.

GETTING THERE: From the main Quarry Road parking lot, visitors can head out on any number of trails that cross over the upper and lower marshes (the Lodge Trail passes by Minnekhada Lodge, which offers washrooms and picnic benches). The Mid-Marsh Trail leads to a low knoll viewpoint but continuing on to the High Knoll Trail brings great rewards at the Addington Lookout; this spot overlooks the Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area, which is managed by the Ministry of Environment.

COLONY FARM REGIONAL PARK

Look, over there… it’s a heron. And, over here… an American Dipper.

And if you’re really brave, venture near the bunkhouse, where, if it’s dark enough, you might spot one of the 500 sets of glowing eyes from the bats that call the historic building’s roof home.

Just a few seconds drive off a Lougheed Highway, Colony Farm Regional Park welcomes visitors to a world of serenity where winged animals prevail and humans spend their time embracing nature.

It hasn’t always been that way.

At the turn of the 20th century, patients from nearby Riverview Hospital – formerly Essondale – used to work Colony Farm. The land was the breadbasket for patients at the hospital as well as the health care workers who supported it. It even had a forge, a cannery and a dairy that processed 15,000 pounds of milk every day.

“It was one of the province’s most productive farms and won many prizes for livestock and cattle raising and dairy cows,” said Freida Schade, area manager for the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s parks department. “They raised crops and they raised all kinds of animals there.”

That all ended in 1985 and, less than a decade later, the farm closed, many of its buildings were demolished. It was a prime piece of real estate and many recognized that: it was sought for a range of uses, including a golf course or RV park, perhaps even a replacement site for the PNE.

But a group of dedicated environmentalists had a different sort of vision.

They began lobbying to designate the land as park and, in 1995, the GVRD acquired it for that purpose from the BC Buildings Corporation as part of the Lower Mainland Nature Legacy program. A number of people who pushed for the park – including local environmentalists Elaine Golds, Don and Norma Gillespie, and Christine Hanrahan – helped create the Colony Farm Land Use Plan, which sets out a vision of wildlife, agriculture and passive recreation.

“When we took over the park in 1995, I estimated the use at being 25,000 [visitors] per year. The current use is over 300,000,” Schade said.

“People feel welcome there.”

Another major factor in the park’s popularity was the construction of the Coquitlam River Millennium Bridge about six years ago (the Colony Farm Park Association raised money to pay 60% of the $300,000 price tag). The new bridge, which replaced one that burned down at the hands of vandals in 1995, joins the two halves of the park separated by the river.

Today, Colony Farm Regional Park still holds on to its working roots.

Approximately 300 families visit there regularly to tend to their plots at the organic community gardens – a boost of colour amidst seemingly endless plains of green grass and bushes.

“It’s extremely popular,” said Norma Gillespie, who sits as a director on the Colony Farm Park Association and is also a member of the Colony Farm Community Gardens Association. “So many people are living in apartments and condominiums and don’t have access to a garden of their own… We’ve got people from all over the world, there are so many cultures, and we almost always have a waiting list.”

Even more people visit the park to spot birds, bats, herons and raptors; saunter around the 9 km of trail systems; or pedal their bike along 6 km of pathways.

Two historic buildings on site – the bunkhouse and the manager’s house, both part of Coquitlam’s new heritage register – will be restored pending the success of grant applications and fundraising. The bunkhouse, built in 1911, will be used as a community facility for meetings and gatherings while the manager’s house, built in 1919, will be restored as a home for a caretaker in residence.

GETTING THERE: Heading west on Lougheed Highway, turn left on Colony Farm Road (across from Riverview Hospital). The parking lot is on the left hand side.

With rivers, lakes and an ocean fjord, Tri-City boasts numerous ways to get on the water – and you don’t need to be an experienced boater or even own your own craft to do it. There are plenty of opportunities to rent canoes and kayaks, take a guided tour or hop on a motorized boat and let a knowledgeable guide show you the area’s hidden gems.

And a day on the water is more than a fun way to beat the summer heat. Paddling the waters of Indian Arm, Buntzen Lake or Burrard Inlet is also a unique opportunity for the family, out-of-town guests or individuals who want to join a group tour to check out Tri-City’s majestic natural surroundings.

RENT A BOAT

- Burrard Inlet

Burrard Inlet may be right in the Tri-Cities’ back yard, but checking it out from the seat of a kayak provides an abundance of new and interesting things to investigate throughout the tidal zone.

“There’s lots to look at just a stone’s throw from the dock,” said Rocky Point Kayak owner Jamie Cuthbert, who’s been renting out kayaks, giving lessons and guiding tours from his Rocky Point Park location since 2000. “There’s not a lot of effort you have to put out with a kayak, but you see things you would otherwise never see.”

Kayakers can head west to watch a herd of seals sunning themselves on the log boom near Pacific Coast Terminals; spend enough time quietly paddling the waters and you’re just as likely to see their smooth grey heads and big black eyes popping up to check you out.

Going east from the dock offers an up-close view of an osprey nest and, at high tide, get close enough to the Shoreline Trail to see the massive eagle nest perched high in the trees. If a longer trip is in your range, Cuthbert suggests a three-hour tour to Belcarra’s Admiralty Point and back or a scenic five-hour trip to the islands on the eastern shores of Indian Arm.

And that’s the beauty of kayaking, says Cuthbert – it doesn’t take a seasoned athlete to enjoy an afternoon of paddling. Renters get detailed instructions on safe passage and boating right-of-way through the channel, but kayakers and canoers should be prepared for a leisurely day on the water.

COST: Rentals include paddles, life jacket, spray skirt, safety demonstration, etc. Reservations recommended.

Prices range between $28 (single kayak, two hours, weekday) to $85 (double kayak, overnight, weekend). Canoes are $30 (two hours) to $75 (overnight).

DETAILS: Visit www.rockypointkayak.com for more info on rates, lessons and tours, or call 604-619-2837.

- Indian Arm

Ron Wood, GVRD park operations supervisor, is a big fan of this ocean fjord snaking its way along Eagle Ridge.

“With all the pocket beaches there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking and canoeing,” he said. “It’s one of the most incredible areas, and it’s relatively protected. You can spend a whole day out there and not really even realize it.”

Nestled on the shores of Belcarra Regional Park is Takaya Tours, a first nations canoe and kayak rental facility run by the Tsleil-Waututh. The “people of the inlet” offer a unique way to experience the scenery of Indian Arm, using songs and stories for a historical and culturally-inspired tour.

“Where we’re standing used to be a village 200 years ago,” said kayak manager Michelle George. A short distance away is Boulder Island, where there was a traditional burial site; around the peninsula and up Indian Arm is Jug Island. Paddling north to Twin Islands kayakers will discover what was once a popular food gathering site for local native people, and which today offers camping, outhouses and a protected lagoon ideal for landings.

“People can see pictographs on the way that have been carbon-dated to 5,000 years ago,” George explained of just a few stories kayakers on a guided tour will hear.

Takaya, which means “wolf” in Hakamelem, the Tsleil-Waututh language, is located in the picnic area of Belcarra Regional Park in a longhouse-style building. Check out the painting along the rim – a two-headed serpent that, according to first nations lore, lived in Indian Arm.

Visitors can rent kayaks or take a guided tours, ranging from two to five hours or, for those with experience, an overnight paddle/camping trip. Prefer a powered craft? Take the motorized eco-cultural exploration, where you’ll see pictographs, islands and waterfalls.

COST: Kayak rentals range from $25/two hours to $45/eight hours for a single kayak; $35/two hours to $60/eight hours for a double.

DETAILS: Visit www.takayatours.com for full details and information on group tours, or call 604-936-0236.

- Sasamat Lake

Take the family camping, canoeing or both on Sasamat Lake in Belcarra Regional Park. In a beautiful natural setting the Sasamat Outdoor Centre offers a convenient way to take the whole family out in a canoe in this small, protected lake.

Camping is in a “no frills” cabin room – all you bring is the family, toys and bedding and the outdoor centre provides canoes, kayaks, and does all the cooking and cleaning. If just a day on the water is more your family’s style, the centre has opportunities for more short-term rentals with instruction.

There are several courses and camping options available at Sasamat Lake, with instructors who can tailor a session to your particular needs.

DETAILS: Visit www.sasamat.org for information or call 604-939-2268.

“Black bears are just as individual as people are,” she said. “You could have a black bear who has a picky diet, a shy black bear, an aggressive one or a curious one.

“They have personalities, and they react differently. For me to say follow steps A, B, C and D would be irresponsible.” What is important, she said, “Is making sure you don’t get into that situation in the first place.”

Elton is a GVRD park interpreter and leads programs on how to be bear savvy in Minnekhada and Belcarra regional parks. She has encountered black bears six times in her recreation and while working for Parks BC. The closest was near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. “It was the one time I was uncomfortably close,” she said. “I was camping and the black bear liked that spot too. My bad. I walked in on that bear.”

This is the core of her attitude.

“Bears want to avoid us,” she said. “Black bears are not predators, so they are not hunting people. We are a threat to them.”

A major thrust of programs run by the province, the region and cities is to educate homeowners to eliminate food sources such as compost, bird feeders and garbage that attract bears away from their natural diet of berries, bugs and fish.

But what’s a person to do while taking a walk in a densely-forested urban park?

Elton estimates about a dozen black bears live in Minnekhada and the mild coastal climate precludes deep hibernation, so “bear season” is year-’round. But their active feeding starts with the emergence of skunk cabbage and that’s when bear-people encounters begin.

Her suggestions:

- To reduce the possibility of meeting a bear, walk the trails during times of peak people passage – bears will have had lots of notice to skedaddle.

- Always, always have dogs on leash. If a dog gets too far ahead, it could come racing back with a bear on its tail (or a cougar.)

- Make noise. Elton sings, some people carry bells or simply chat. “I am never going to run into a black bear with my school group of Grade 3s because they are so loud,” she said. “Remember, bears want to avoid us.”

- Sometimes, a bear can be caught off guard. If, for example, a bear is at the end of a bridge that is on the route back to the car, don’t expect the bear to care – it always has the right of way. “Back off and put as much distance between you and the bear as possible,” she said. “Give a bear an opportunity to get away from you.”

- A bear that does not see a human as a threat is called habituated. A habituated bear is a bear on death row. And people who toss food at bears along the road, or stop to take pictures are habituating a bear, Elton said. Driving by such a scenario with a sow and cubs, she said she honked to scare the bears away. “They didn’t get their photo but that wasn’t my concern. Those cubs were being habituated.”

Coquitlam

- Coquitlam River Trail – 90 minutes

From the north Coquitlam Town Centre parking lot, walk down Gabriola Drive in the New Horizons sub-division to a gravel path, which leads to the river. Part of the TransCanada Trail, this route is a favourite with walkers, joggers and dog walkers taking a retreat from the sun under the forest canopy. There are also several off-shoot trails down to the river – a good place to picnic (make sure you take your garbage home when you’re done). About two-thirds of the way to the blue bridge is the Grist Creek restoration project, dedicated to the late Al Grist, a conservationist who worked in the Coquitlam River watershed. Take a break on the blue bridge to look at the beauty of the Coquitlam River before turning back, or heading east to Shaughnessy Street.

- Lafarge Lake – 20 minutes round trip

Located at 1299 Pinetree Way, Lafarge Lake is in Town Centre Park north of Coquitlam Centre mall. It’s a man-made urban lake that used to be a gravel pit and was donated by the Lafarge Cement Company to the city of Coquitlam in the 1970s. The trail around the lake is mostly paved, with good access for both walkers and people with strollers, and scenic views of the mountains. Watch people canoeing and fishing on the lake. Coffee shop for refreshments available in the citysoup innovation centre at the north end of the trail. Parking is free for up to two hours during the week and free on the weekend.

- Colony Farm – six trails, 10 to 40 minutes one way, map available at kiosk

Access via Colony Farm Road off Lougheed Highway. Formerly agricultural lands supporting Riverview Hospital, it is a designated Wildlife Watch sight and offers scenic views of grasslands and the winding Coquitlam River as well as good waterfowl, beaver, muskrat and river otter viewing.

- Como Lake Park – 20 minutes

This one-kilometre loop around Como Lake is like a classroom, with dozens of little markings at trees and benches. The journey starts from the north parking lot, where there’s a plaque near the redwood trees in memory of Richard Saint Barbe Baker, a forester and conservationist, donated by the Bahai Youth of Coquitlam. The two bulletin boards on each side of the lake also provide a bevy of community and safety information, as do the wetland pond teaching boards. The bark-mulch path is easy to walk on and there are many sights along the route: birdhouses cut into the trees, Canadian geese, fishers’ piers and the Kinsmen kiddie park.

- Mundy Park – 45 minutes

At 440 acres of urban forest, Mundy is a favourite with dog owners, who can walk their pooches off-leash in designated areas daily from dawn to 10 a.m. (though the rule is often ignored). From Hillcrest middle school, take the Nitinat trail south, past the playing fields, to Mundy Lake, where there’s a one-kilometre lakeside loop. At the north end, head up the gravel path to link with the Interlaken trail and give the thighs a burn on Heart Attack Hill (thankfully, there’s a bench at the top) before returning to the school. With 16 kilometres of trails – including Perimeter (4,014m), Interlaken (1,170m) and Waterline (1,370m) – there’s plenty of flora and fauna to see along the way. A recent inventory catalogued nine amphibian, three reptile, 82 bird and 18 mammal species. For a trail map, visit www.douglas.bc.ca/csrw/mundyparkmap.pdf.

- Minnekhada Regional Park – 20 minutes

From the Quarry Road parking lot, take the Lodge trail up to Minnekhada Lodge, the former home of B.C.’s 15th lieutenant-governor, Eric Hamber, which was built in the mid-1930s in the style of a Scottish hunting lodge. Derived from the Sioux Indian words meaning “beside still waters,” Minnekhada regional park surrounds two marshes, the lower of which you’ll pass on the way to the lodge (open Sundays 1-4 p.m.). On the narrow trail, stop to see the new bench dedicated to the late Eleanor Ward, a long-time northeast Coquitlam resident whose spirit, according to the plaque, soars above the park. The park is managed and protected by the GVRD, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada. For a trail map, visit www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/Minnekhada.htm.

Port Coquitlam

- Traboulay PoCo Trail – 4+ hours

The 25.1-km, mostly-flat trail that circles PoCo started in 1967 as a project to mark Canada’s 100th birthday. Over the years, the PoCo Trailblazers developed the route and, in 1997, the city started to upgrade the trail to link with the TransCanada Trail, a millennium project. There are plenty of markers along the trail, which passes near and through areas like Hyde Creek, Deboville Slough, Coquitlam River Park and Colony Farm regional park. It’s best to take a map: visit www.city.port-coquitlam.bc.ca/Dynamic/Page1029.aspx.

Port Moody

- Bert Flinn Park – 35 minutes round trip

Trail access to the 126-acre park is unmarked but located at the corner of Heritage Mountain Boulevard and David Avenue. Walk through a traditional west coast forest with giant burned-out stumps, remnants of the original old growth forest, and vine maple, cedar and hemlock trees. The park was created in 1999 after voters agreed to preserving the land and named after a popular alderman, and offers a network of criss-crossing trails that follow old logging roads. Head north at the fenced boundary of Heritage Woods secondary school to walk a loop trail that circumnavigates a small wetland. The trail is marked with logs and small rocks on its edges, and raised boardwalks so cyclists and walkers can avoid the mud. It travels north, crosses and re-crosses a narrow gas pipeline right-of-way before swinging south. Watch for trail forks and keep south and east to exit at the unleashed-dog area, a 10-minute-long, gravel, right-of-way that returns to Heritage Mountain Boulevard.

- Shoreline Trail – 90 minutes return

The Shoreline Trail is a 3 km horseshoe-shaped trail that follows the inlet between Rocky Point Park and Old Orchard on the north shore. There are two parallel trails: a dirt trail for walkers and a paved pathway for cyclists and inline skaters (walkers should note that people on wheels have the right of way on the paved path). There are several access points and the trail connects PoMo’s six waterfront parks. See spectacular views of Port Moody Inlet and mud flats from the tree-shaded trail. The southern portion forms part of the TransCanada Trail network.

Belcarra

- Belcarra Regional Park – nine trails, 30 min-2.5 hours, map available at kiosk

At 2,200 acres, Belcarra Regional Park is one of the largest in the Greater Vancouver Regional District park system. There are 22 km of walking and hiking trails, including the Sasamat Lake Trail loop at White Pine Beach and the Jug Island Beach Trail at the Belcarra picnic site, as well as swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Get to the park from 1st Avenue off Ioco Road, which turns into Bedwell Bay Road. Access points include White Pine Beach off Bedwell Bay road, which turns into Tum-tumay-whueton Drive and ends at the picnic site. Among the shorter trails is a 30-minute-return walk to the Bedwell Bluffs, at the east end of the picnic area. Take the gravel path marked for the Jug Island Trail and keep to the right. Trail passes through second-growth hemlock forest and ends at a peak-a-boo view of Bedwell Bay and Bedwell Bluffs. At low tide, scramble down the rocks to a small beach with boulders covered in barnacles, muscles, clams and seaweed.;

Family history consultant Brenda Smith has visited cemetaries throughout B.C. for research and says Coquitlam’s is one of the best post-modern examples she’s seen. It offers traditional burial with granite headstones, engraved boulders that are tucked into woodland nooks, places for urns, and gardens for scattering ashes.

The oldest graves, on the south side of the grounds, tell different stories: individual headstones often state only birth and death. They are formal and, if decorated at all it’s only with symbols such as a cross or a Mason’s instrument. Although Scandinavian names are not common in the city’s popular history, they are numerous in the cemetery, as are Robinson, Poirier, Christmas and other families that are also remembered in city street names.

On the newer, north side headstones are more expressive, benefiting from advances in laser etching. In this part of the cemetery are stones with etchings of fly-fishing, golf, and on one, barbells.

Many of the commemorative boulders holding urns located at the edge of a grove have extravagantly decorated settings, including mementos woven into tree branches, photographs, poems, lanterns with candles and other tokens of remembrance.

Cemeteries are not for recreation, but they are public places and the Coquitlam cemetary’s caretaker encourages to visitors, guiding them to the chronology and features that might otherwise be overlooked, such as the wildlife trees, which are crags left for woodpeckers to feed at, and bird feeders. All that is needed of visitors is respect.;