When Metro Vancouver Regional District announced it was finally opening a new park on land it had acquired in northeastern Coquitlam more than 30 years ago, our interest was piqued. But when they also announced a free weekend shuttle bus service to the pristine, 621-hectare area, we booked our spot ASAP.
Recently, we took the SkyTrain to Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station, crossed the street to the Park and Ride and hopped on the minibus to the new Widgeon Marsh Regional Park. You an also reach the park in your own vehicle, of course, but this free shuttle operates three times a day on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holiday Mondays––and you can book your timeslot here.
Hopping the Free Bus to a New Park
On our sunny day visit, we had three hours to enjoy the vast wetland swathe, most of which remains inaccessible due to its ecologically sensitive flora and fauna. Visitors, however, can walk a wide pathway (2.4km each way) that snakes through the forest alongside tall trees and a twittering chorus of birds. We saw or heard warblers, flycatchers, nuthatches, woodpeckers and more––while lots of colourful Lorquin’s admiral butterflies also flitted around us.
It wasn’t long before we arrived at the park’s expansive Meadow area. Framed by towering, tree-lined peaks, this grassy clearing contains picnic tables, temporary washrooms, huge Douglas firs and carpets of wildflowers. It’s also the doorstep––via an easy 400m trail––to Widgeon Slough, the park’s breathtaking, gem-like highlight.
This dramatic shoreline panorama, which connects to Pitt River, is ringed with distant peaks that reflect off the mirror-calm water. And while we quickly spotted a cedar waxwing and a passing eagle, the main avian action turned out to be dozens of darting, blue-tinged tree swallows that were hunting insects and nesting in the cavities of old wooden pilings.
We were in no rush to leave this idyllic spot, but we eventually conceded it was the perfect finale to our lovely day out. Or so we thought. As we returned to the Meadow to begin retracing our steps back to the minibus, we spotted––in the distance––a large momma bear ambling through the grass with three small cubs in tow. Now that’s a grand finale!
