COQUITLAM, B.C., June 19, 2024 – Murals, bike racks, benches and lights will be brightening up Coquitlam streets throughout 2024 as part of the City’s streetscape enhancement program.
Launched in 2023, the streetscape enhancement program aims to beautify streets and public spaces across the community with public art and amenities. Interesting street furniture, captivating murals and decorative lighting all help to bring people together outside, encouraging community connection and pride of place, promoting outdoor living, supporting tourism and economic development, and improving street safety.
Key Initiatives for 2024
Following on 2023’s successes, exciting new additions to Coquitlam’s streetscapes are already underway for 2024.
Murals: New murals designed by local artists are being considered and implemented for the following locations:
- Town Centre Park Community Centre: “Ancestral Legacy”, a new mural designed by a multi-generational team from kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, led by the Raven-Tacuara collaborative, has already been completed on the exterior of the community centre. The location was identified as part of the 2023 scope of work, and painting was completed in 2024 after facility renovations were complete.
- Poirier Youth Centre: A collaborative youth engagement mural with the United Way is being explored for the entrance of the Poirier Youth Centre, The Getaway.
- Burquitlam and North Road: A number of locations are being considered for murals in the Burquitlam and North Road neighbourhoods.
Street Furniture: Unique bike racks will be installed at Burquitlam Station and the Coquitlam Public Library City Centre branch. Visitors will also soon be able to take a seat on art-inspired decorative benches at different locations throughout the city.
Lighting Features: The ornamental tree lighting in the City Centre area will be expanded to supplement existing lighting, improving visibility and safety during the darker winter months. This will include boulevard and median tree lighting on Glen, Pacific, the High, the pedestrian walkway through to Spirit Square Park across from City Hall, and along portions of Pinetree Way.
City Centre Library Entrance and Pinetree Way Activation: A new library entrance on Pinetree Way will include accessible features such as an automatic door opener and railing. Decorative bike racks, seating, colourful ground planting and murals along Pinetree Way and adjacent to Henderson Place Mall will create a more inviting experience for visitors to the library and local businesses.
Creative and Sustainable Funding Options
The two-year Streetscape Enhancement Program is funded by the City’s land sale reserves ($900,000) and a Destination Development Grant from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ($435,000). This funding will ensure the completion of all planned initiatives, with ongoing maintenance costs integrated into future financial plans.
To read about the 2023 initiatives and follow along as the 2024 projects are completed, visit coquitlam.ca/streetscape.
Media contact:
Karen Basi
Cultural Services Manager
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca
604-927-6962
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.