Metro Vancouver Park Series: Minnekhada Regional Park
byOur pal John Biehler has great ideas for photowalks, which are meetups where everyone bring a camera and takes photos of what they see along the way. He’s had the brilliant idea of getting away from the downtown core for these events and recently ventured out to Minnekhada Park a few times. After seeing his amazing shots I figured it would be the perfect fit for the next entry in my Park Series.
Metrics: 175 hectares in North East Port Coquitlam
How to Get There: From Vancouver, head out to Port Coquitlam (Lougheed Hwy – East) then turn left on to Coast Meridian Road and follow it north, until Appel Drive. Take Appel Drive, until it turns to Victoria Drive. Follow Victoria Drive to Minnekhada Regional Park.
Features: Picnic facilities, birds and other wildlife, Pitt-Addington Marsh, Widgeon Creek Estuary, Minnekhada Farm, and Minnekhada Lodge. There are a variety of trails that range from 20 – 30 minutes (Lodge Trail) to the High Knoll which is an hour to 90 minutes each way. [Read more on ClubTread]. The peaks of Golden Ears Provincial Park also lend a fantastic view.
History: “The estate [Minnekhada Lodge] has hosted royalty and boasts a royal suite, and Governor-General Lord Tweedsmuir and his sons played polo here. The area around the house commands fine views of the Pitt River and retains a Japanese garden. Minnekhada is now the people’s palace, situated within a regional park that boasts good trails and birdwatching opportunities.†[From VancouverHistory] In 1981, Minnekhada Farms was made a regional park.
Notes: The word is a Sioux Indian name meaning “water rattling byâ€. You can check out more of John’s photos on his Flickr account or on his website. We’re really hoping to get out there and join him for his next photowalk, whether it be at Minnekhada or another equally-stunning location.
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Thanks for the post!
The lodge at Minnekhada always reminds me of the hotel in the Shining – a (somewhat) creepy old mansion in the middle of nowhere (although it’s only about 5 minutes from my house).
A few weeks ago, I was poking around outside (taking pictures) and was startled by one of the caretakers who was practicing his trumpet inside.
I see you guys went to the low knoll (as john’s first photo in the post is from) but did you get a chance to get to the High Knoll?
We were in whistler for some snow action, else we would have been there too
Next photowalk in the sun I want to take is over at Lighthouse Park. 🙂
No High Knoll this time…it was getting late and still had to head back to the Quarry Road parking lot (Lodge was closed for a private function) so the hike was longer than expected…wanted to get to the Pitt Meadows viewpoint but that will have to be another time.
Lighthouse Park sounds like a great spot for a photowalk…been there many times but not for a few years.