About Coquitlam

About Coquitlam

Coquitlam real estate has outstanding value for people seeking a comfortable home with access to Greater Vancouver. The community has an abundance of public green space and is known for its strong and diverse community.

Geographic Information
Coquitlam is located at the heart of the Lower Mainland on the bank of the Fraser River, with the wilderness of Pinecone Burke Provincial Park to its north. Bordered by Burnaby, New Westminster and Port Moody on its western boundary and Port Coquitlam to the southeast, the city is optimally situated for access to Burnaby, Vancouver and other communities throughout the Lower Mainland.

History
The City is named for the area s original inhabitants, the Kwikwetlem First Nation, a Coast Salish people who can trace their settlement here to 7000 BCE. The word means red fish up the river after the sockeye that traveled up the river. The explorer Simon Fraser trailblazed here in 1808, paddling down the river that bears his name. European commercial activity in the area began with a Hudson s Bay Company trading post that evolved into a supply centre for British headquarters in New Westminster.

Further expansion arose from the establishment of the Fraser Mill in 1889. The settlement incorporated in 1891, with a small infrastructure serving a town of 20 houses. A French-Canadian cohort of mill-workers established Maillardville 1910, still the largest Francophone community in the Pacific region. Construction of the Lougheed Highway in 1953 opened the city for expansive growth, and in 2001, the old mill closed and the industrial areas were rezoned for residential use.


Zoning and Architecture
Primarily a bedroom community, Coquitlam s largest developed acreage is dedicated to single family and rural residences with a small number of townhouses and high rises. The greater portion of land is undeveloped or protected, bestowing the area a wealth of parks and recreational areas, open undeveloped land and urban watershed. There is a small commercial and industrial base and an all-but diminished resource extraction zone.

Shops, Services and Leisure
Town Centre is the city s geographic center, providing residents with cultural, entertainment and educational services. It combines high density housing, commercial offices, shops and services and public facilities. Residents shop at Westwood Mall, Sunwood Square Shopping Centre, or Coquitlam Centre Mall. Town Centre is home to the Coquitlam Public Library, Douglas College and Perry Stadium.

Parks and Recreation
Four all-age community centers, two senior community centers, four golf facilities and 2,200 acres of open green spaces provide opportunities for a multitude of activities.

Day walks, camping and boating are only some of the pastimes accessible at Mundy Park, Belcarra Regional Park, Minnekhada Regional Park and many others.

Como Lake is a local fishing spot known for Coho salmon and cutthroat trout, and is home to the Como Lake Fishing Derby, a free event for children under age 16.


Culture and Events
Named one of Canada s Cultural Capitals for 2009 by Heritage Canada, Coquitlam has developed partnerships with local cultural organizations. Through public consultation and event planning, the municipality partners with and recognizes its diverse communities.

Venues showcasing Coquitlam s arts and culture scene include the Evergreen Cultural Centre and the Place des Arts.

The Coquitlam Farmer s Market, started in 1996 by SFU students as an economic improvement initiative, brings neighborhood folk into contact with their local agrarian providers. Located at Como Lake, it relocates to Port Coquitlam Recreation Centre in the winter, and features events like the Salmon BBQ, the Slow Food event and Bike to Market Day.

Some of Coquitlam s annual events include the Festival du Bois, BC Highland Games, Blue Mountain Music Festival and Light the Lake.

Schools, Services and Sustainability Links
Coquitlam s many elementary and secondary schools provide families with choices. French-language education can be arranged in the area through La Conseil Scolaire Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique.

Nearby are Douglas College David Lam Campus, Simon Fraser University and British Columbia Institute of Technology, accredited excellent postsecondary institutions.

Here is a thorough set of useful links to community resources in Coquitlam.

Transportation
Coquitlam Central Station is the public transportation hub, where the West Coast Express connects with Translink s 97B-Line, providing express service to Lougheed SkyTrain station in Burnaby. This will be replaced in 2014 with the SkyTrain Evergreen Line. There is an adjacent park-and-ride facility and bike lock-ups to allow for alternative a mix of short range transportation options. The train carries two bikes per car, a service subject to a nominal fee.

There are designated bike lanes on some of the major routes, Chilco Drive, David Avenue and Guilford Way.

Lougheed Highway provides automobile access to Burnaby and Vancouver.