The park is a very popular spot for nature photography, bird watching, walking, cycling and community gardening. With its open fields, hedgerows and wetlands, this park provides habitat for many animals and over 200 bird species. Trails for both walkers and cyclists showcase great views of fields, mountains and the Coquitlam River.  To virtually visit Colony Farm Regional Park, watch the following video: https://vimeo.com/282890220

Metro Vancouver manages the park in accordance with the Colony Farm Land Use Plan which designates specific areas for agriculture, wildlife and integrated management. The park protects a variety of ecosystem types including the largest old-field habitat in the northeast sector. These ecosystems provide habitat for a wide range of animals, including invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, fish, forest and grassland birds and birds of prey. During the winter months large numbers of Great Blue Herons, a species at risk, forage in the fields at Colony Farm.

Colony Farm Regional Park has several designated wildlife habitat areas that offer critical food, shelter and breeding sites , was well as migration resting and staging grounds. People and dogs are not permitted in them. Help protect these valuable park habitats by staying on trails and leashing dogs.

In partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Kwikwetlem First Nation, Metro Vancouver and Transportation Investment Corporation have created several habitat enhancement projects adjacent to the Sheep Paddocks Trail to provide habitat for many wildlife species. The most recent enhancement is along the new section of trail, where a 1.2 hectare wetland includes features for all the life stages of Western painted turtles. The wetland areas also support fish, frogs and other aquatic species. Chinook and Coho salmon fry have been seen in these areas.

The Lower Coquitlam River Nature Association is also actively involved with this regional park, working in partnership with Metro Vancouver to manage the park and provide a number of nature walks every spring. A community garden and an accessible trail system have been created and funds have been raised to construct a pedestrian bridge over the Coquitlam River. For more information or to get involved visit: https://lcrnatureassociation.com/

To access information on the walking and hiking trails, and cycling in Colony Farm Regional Park, check out:  http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/parks-greenways-reserves/colony-farm-regional-park

For information on the early history of Colony Farm and the first community gardens, view: https://www.cfcg.ca/history-of-colony-farm/

Image credits: Metro Vancouver