The Coquitlam River is easy to treat as background when crossing it on the way somewhere else. A walk beside it asks you to slow down and notice its banks, changing water and green edges.
The downtown stretch of the Traboulay PoCo Trail follows the scenic river and winds near Gates Park. You can make a short outing of one section without tackling the entire city loop. Watch for walkers and cyclists sharing the path, and keep out of the river during high water.
Use the City’s current trail map to choose an access point and check any closures before you leave. Looking at the river from a familiar neighbourhood gives a fresh sense of the geography that has always helped shape this city.