Parks
Park in BC (JF Bergeron photo)
From waterfront walks to forested paths, Port Moody offers a wealth of green space.
Some parks, such as Old Orchard Park are small, beachside gems while others are geared to action-oriented pursuits: SK8 Park caters to skateboarders and BMX bikers with lots of ramps, rails, stairs and tabletop features while Inlet and Town Centre parks include fields and courts for sports such as soccer and tennis.
Belcarra Regional Park
Jutting into Indian Arm where it meets the Burrard Inlet, and covering some 1,100ha/2,718ac, this forested mountain park has been a summer getaway destination since the 1920s when boats used to bring day trippers from Vancouver's Coal Harbour to picnic, swim, hike for an hour or a full day, and fish.
Activities at Belcarra Park
Today this family park is as popular as ever with 22km/13.7mi of walking trails and 9.5km/6mi of cycling paths. White Pine Beach at Sasamat Lake is a hot spot for swimmers as much for its safe, warm waters and for its long stretches of sand. There's a wharf for crabbing, fishing or scuba diving.
The Belcarra picnic area, White Pine Beach and park washrooms are all wheelchair accessible.
Read More
Buntzen Lake Reservoir Recreation Area
Located along Sunnyside Road just north-east of Belcarra in neighbouring Anmore, Buntzen Lake sits among the forested slopes of the Coast Mountains. Created from a dam reservoir which provided Vancouver's first hydroelectric power, this picturesque 4.8km/3mi long reservoir is also a popular recreation area.
Activities at Buntzen Lake
Buntzen Lake offers a small boat and canoe launch (rentals are available), hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and nature trails. The summer crowds can be a bit daunting; be sure to arrive before 10am to secure a parking spot or the walk can be a long one, especially for youngsters.
Bert Flinn Park
Covering 126ha/311ac, this mostly undeveloped park comprises original ecosystems of forest uplands and wetlands that are rich with wildlife such as the Northwestern salamander and red-legged frogs. These north shore wetlands are also significant for the diversity of plant species – a total of 99 species have been inventoried so far and include the Arctic starflower, Swamp laurel, Labrador tea and Round-leaved sundew plants.
Activities in Bert Flinn Park
Although it has an extensive trail system for hikers and mountain bikers, most are unmarked and there is concern that over-use will jeopardize the largesse of fauna and flora. Some are old logging roadbeds lead to the remnants of long-abandoned campsites.
Rocky Point Park
A recent $3 million renovation has created a beautiful community park, complete with a children's spray park, outdoor pool and playground as well as a band shell that in summer hosts a series of weekly concerts. The large grass area is a terrific spot to find artists at their easels, throw a Frisbee and picnic. The park includes a boat launch ramp, a recreational pier and skateboard park. This is where the very popular Shoreline Park Trail begins
Indian Arm Marine Provincial Park
Lying in the core of Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory and accessed only by water, this 7ha/17ac semi-remote marine destination is just north of Belcarra along the east side of Indian Arm. The once heavily glaciated landscape has given way to rugged, forested mountains, several alpine lakes and numerous creeks and waterfalls, including the 164ft/50m high Granite Falls.
Raccoon and Twin Islands
Indian Arm Marine Provincial Park also includes Raccoon and Twin Islands, both characterized by sparse vegetation, open cover, and exposed rocky ledges. The shoals around these islands make for good scuba diving; there's a sandy swimming beach at the mouth of Granite Falls and the Indian River estuary is an excellent spot for migratory bird watching. Other wildlife includes black bear, black-tailed deer, cougar, coyote, red fox, and a variety of smaller mammals and amphibians.
Wilderness Campsites
Wilderness campsites are available on the north and south sides of Bishop Creek, on North Twin Island and at South Granite Falls. Camping is not permitted on Raccoon or South Twin Island.
Read Less