Port Moody a beautiful retreat

In and out through the back way
of the Burrard Inlet

Port Moody first came to be in 1858 after the completion of a trail now known as the North Road. The North Road was constructed as a supply route and a means to escape "northward" in case of a frontal assault from America shortly after NewWestminster was named the capital of the new colony of British Columbia. See post "NewWestminster: the empire strikes back". Tents turned into a town and in 1886 the prospering port grew to it's greatest prominence as the original Pacific terminus of Canada's first national railway. In 1913 the town incorporated into a city. Port Moody's strategic location on the east end of the Burrrard Inlet plus the addition of a railway made it a popular spot for many industries that have come and gone over the years.

Canadian Pacific Railroad terminus now a  museum\in Rocky Point Park

Today, steeped in history as it is, Port Moddy calls itself the city of the arts . I didn't visit any galleries but I did check out sections of the Trans Canada and Shoreline Trail that takes you around Moody Inlet. This beautiful trail connects three main parks: Rocky Point Park, Inlet Park and Old Mill Park. In total it is 3 km; however, if you're driving don't forget the turn around. There are plenty of opportunities to cut it short or join later in if you take transit. www.translink.ca . If you are driving you can also find parking around around Murray Street 1 km along the hike.

The city of Port Moody's website www.cityofportmoody.com  hails this trail as "universally accessible". This is a lofty and laudable idea but the term universal is a little hard to quantify. Finding a definition of the term is even hard to do, but at the heart of all variations of the theme, is the willingness to make whatever it is barrier free for all citizens. Barrier free does have a strict definition in accessible terminology. So to put it bluntly, the city's heart is in the right place and with some more work these trails and parks can achieve a barrier free title . Does this mean PWDs should stay away? If you do you'll miss a mighty fine place to visit. Rocky Point Park is worth the trip alone.

Railway overpass to  to Rocky Point Park

This park is very close to being barrier-free and has it all: recreation pier, outdoor pool, water park, skate board/bike park, boat slips, restaurants, museums, art exhibits and entertainment.

Wheelchair access to the high tide mark
pier in the background

Breathtaking views

At the park's entrance there is bus service and paid parking with numerous reserved spots. Changerooms for the pool and water park are large, and washrooms are also accessible to a high but not barrier free standard. For example barrier free design would include automatic doors. I am not nitpicking simply making a point.

Boat docks for recreation
a little old school for barrier free designation

The boat docks are fun walk. If the tide is high you can access the boat slips below and there is also a large boat launch to the water. Boat docks modelled after the ones along Vancouver's False Creek would be a step toward the designation "barrier free".

Have a warm by the fire

The park is well thought out with community in mind. For example the fire pit above belongs to he Boat House restaurant a chain of middle to high end eateries. The fireplace can be enjoyed for free in a public section of the park with benches and views over looking the inlet. The children's waterpark is  barrier free and amazing. The children's non-water play areas have barriers.

Cool spot on a hot summer day

The trail heading around the inlet is marked for walking and cycling safety. The bike path is cement and pretty smooth sailing in this section. You can also take a walking trail for a closer look at the inlet, but you will want to find a connector trail to the bike path at about the 3/4 km mark as it gets steep along the dirt trail.

Be bear and barrier aware

Beautiful views of salt mud tidal flats
and many species of bird and marine life

When you get to Murray Street via the trail you may want to turn around because at that point the trail begins to pose challenges. If you want to bus back to other areas of Metro Vancouver, this is a good spot to do it. Neaby parks in this downtown core area are worth checking out. Pioneer Park in downtown Port Moody is small but very nice.

The labyrinth in the children's healing
garden in pioneer park

Inlet Park

Even in my big off road wheelchair, I couldn't find a safe path to the boardwalk along the shore of Inlet Park. I did see a few trails that could be converted. The bike path at the 2 km mark (as you turn off Murray St.) begins it's inevitable up and down climb along the mountain ridge. Even though the trail is paved and hugs sea level as much as possible, there are a few steep climbs and drops ahead.

Old trout hatchery trail

While you explore tthe rails in a chair or other such device you will experience some turn rounds and some gorgeous scenery. Eventually at 3 km the trial ends at Old Orchard Park. This park has accessible washrooms, but little else about it is accessible. The slopes are very steep and the trails very rugged. DO NOT attempt to catch the accessible community shuttle along Ioco Road at the park's entrance. Turn back along the trail to the downtown area. This busy truck route has no curb cuts,  no accessible cross ways, no accessible bus stops, and is treacherous to any pedestrian.

The beach at Old Orchard Park
looking across to Rocky Point Park

The community hosts Ghost Town Days on the first weekend of October to kick off  the many Hallowe'en festivities across the Lower Mainland. AccessEco BC will be letting you know about various events soon. Check out the Port Moody website link above for more on this one. 

Well we won't be posting for a couple of weeks, but we are on the job checking out new places to explore or outdoor fun to enjoy so check back in October for more.

Flew the coop