COQUITLAM, BC, Mar. 10, 2020 – Coquitlam is planning a major upgrade to the much-loved Lafarge Lake loop trail at Town Centre Park, including a wharf and public access to the lake’s island for the first time.
Council gave staff the go-ahead to develop a detailed design, implementation plan and budget for the $4.3-million project that will bring new features to about a quarter of the park and further cement its place as a local and regional destination for festivals and recreation.
Four Distinct Sections Planned
As part of the Town Centre Park Master Plan (TCPMP) adopted in 2018, the upgrades will span about 23 acres of area along the 1.2-kilometre loop trail. Improvements are organized into four distinct zones, all of them fully accessible with new lighting, social gathering spaces and plantings.
- Garden Walk will extend north from the Inspiration Garden along the east side of the lake and include stunning floral displays, custom seating areas and tiered steps to the water’s edge next to the TD Community Plaza.
- Island Walk, on the north side of the lake, will allow park users to experience the island for the first time and enjoy views of the lake and City Centre.
- Urban Walk will parallel Pinetree Way on the lake’s west side and feature a new wharf and two-stall universal washroom near Evergreen Cultural Centre.
- Forest Walk, along the south side of the lake, will include a widened asphalt trail with sections of boardwalk, extensive tree planting and new meandering trails.
A comprehensive proposal is anticipated to be back to Council for approval this summer, with many of improvements to be phased in over a two-year period beginning in 2021.
Part of a Larger Plan for the Park
The upgrades stem from the TCPMP’s 20-year plan for the park, which was named Canada’s Greatest Public Space in 2017 by the Canadian Institute of Planners. The jewel of Coquitlam’s park system, it is a destination for sports, recreation, culture and leisure activities. Events at the TD Community Plaza, Percy Perry Stadium and other facilities attract thousands of people each year.
Projects related to TCPMP have already started to roll out, including improvements to the festival lawn in 2019 and work now underway on a new plaza with seating, washroom and servery building and further enhancements to the lawn, gardens, trails and lighting, set to be completed this summer.
Other planned projects for 2020 to 2022 include:
- Additional restrooms;
- More flower beds along pathways;
- Improved park wayfinding signage;
- More amenities for passive recreation and picnicking; and
- More outdoor furniture such as benches.
The artificial turf at Don Cunnings Field will also be replaced this year through the Coquitlam Sports Field Strategy.
The vision is for a timeless park and community focal point that respects the park’s historical and existing feel and character, while providing modern amenities and capturing new and evolving opportunities. The master plan’s four guiding principles have centered around Town Centre Park being a place of destination, connection, evolution and celebration for the community.
For more information and to read the plan, visit www.coquitlam.ca/tcpmp.
Additional information and park project updates are available at www.coquitlam.ca/parkprojects.