1. Protection of a Green Zone composed of parks, open space, resource lands, watersheds, environmentally-sensitive areas, farmland, and which defines the boundary of the urban growth area; 2. Encouragement of Complete Communities offering a better balance between jobs and housing; a choice of affordable housing types; and a wide range of commercial and public services and facilities, including choices for transportation; 3. Provision of More Transportation Choices by placing higher emphasis on public transit, walking, cycling and goods movement, and also taking measures to reduce and manage the demand for travel; an important component of this is the expansion of rapid transit to Coquitlam’s regional town centre; and 4. A Compact Region. Much of future growth is to go into a growth concentration area consisting of the Burrard Peninsula, North Surrey/Delta, and the northeast sector including Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Coquitlam. Higher densities are needed to support transit and make protection of the green zone possible. Metro Vancouver Parks Unlike other municipalities, Coquitlam has classified almost all parks that were identified at time of adoption of the Regional Growth Strategy and Environmentally-Sensitive areas (ESA) as “Regional Conservation and Recreational Areas,” excepting the Vancouver Golf Course. This classification provides an additional layer of protection as any options to decrease the size of a park or ESA would require Metro Vancouver approval. Most municipalities included just their major parks or those of regional importance. Coquitlam’s parks that will be developed after the adoption of the Regional Growth Strategy are classified as “General Urban.” In addition, Metro Vancouver’s two major parks, Minnekhada Regional Park and Colony Farms Regional Park, both have access from Coquitlam. >> Minnekhada Regional Park is a natural park in Northeast Coquitlam covering more than 200 hectares and features trails, rock knolls, abundant trees, birds and other wildlife. Minnekhada Lodge, built by Eric Hamber in 1934 prior to him becoming Lieutenant Governor of B.C. in 1936, is housed in the park and is considered one of Metro Vancouver’s premier heritage buildings. >> Colony Farm was officially opened in 1910, through land purchased by the provincial government, and developed to support the Essondale Hospital. Colony Farm became one of the most successful farms in British Columbia’s history and was an integral part of the hospital providing both food and therapeutic occupation for patients. The farm ceased operations in 1983. The Province transferred Colony Farm to Metro Vancouver in 1996, to be managed as a regional park. Metro Vancouver manages the park in accordance with the Colony Farm Land Use Plan that designates specific areas for agriculture, wildlife and integrated management.
PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE SERVICES MASTER PLAN – OUR STORY
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