The search is on for a name for one of Coquitlam’s newest parks.
Construction is expected to get underway this summer for a park along Collins Road on Burke Mountain, which will include a sport court, a natural turf playing field and a community garden.
There was some thought of naming the park after the road where it is located but a staff report said there was “concern that this name did not celebrate the historical, environmental or site significance of the property to both the neighbourhood and Burke Mountain.”
The land was once owned by the Hoigaard family and is known as the Ranch property because of a sign at the original entry of the Highland Drive site that said “Burke Mountain Ranch.” In a report, staff noted that there is already an area in Coquitlam called Ranch Park and that having a similar name could create confusion.
Instead, they put forward several options, including Hoigaard Park, Upper Hyde Creek Park and Highland Park, but “feedback was mixed and neither option was strongly supported.”
Now, the city is adding new choices, including Burke Mountain Pioneer Park, West Hyde Park, Burke Farmstead Park and Burke Mountain Paddock Park. The report said staff would seek public feedback online.
The 4.4-acre green space will be built in conjunction with Wesbild Homes, which is providing the land and $1.55 million for the $3.1 million needed for the project. The development company agreed to the arrangement after council approved a townhouse development next to the park last year. Road improvements and new parking spots are included in the final cost.
Work will begin on the sports court and community garden this summer and some of the amenities are expected to open in the fall. The playing field will be seeded over the winter months and is expected to open in spring 2018.
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