In 2020, we made the life-changing decision to move from another part of Coquitlam to Burke Mountain. At the time, it felt like a dream come true—to live nestled among the trees, surrounded by the serenity of the forest.
Now, five years later, so much has changed. Burke Mountain has grown into a thriving community, with developments like ours becoming sanctuaries for many young families while we try to maintain as much of the natural habitat as we can.
Over these years, we've witnessed incredible progress: the opening of Coast Salish Elementary, the soon-to-be-completed Burke Mountain Secondary, and the exciting plans for a vibrant community hub set to open in 2029. These developments are shaping Burke Mountain into a wonderful place not just for today, but for generations to come.
However, as the curtain of progress lifts, we’ve also begun to notice things we wish we hadn't. Cigarette butts litter corners and curbs, often discarded carelessly by passersby or workers at construction sites. Along the forest trails, we’ve found rivers under small bridges filled with trash of all kinds. And sadly, dog waste bags—tied and untied—hang from branches, hide in tree hollows, or sit abandoned at the edges of parks and sidewalks.
After volunteering independently to clean up the area during our early years here, we made the decision to officially adopt a trail through the City of Coquitlam's Park Spark program. With their support, we’ve been able to remove larger amounts of garbage from difficult-to-reach areas. Every time we report issues to the city’s bylaw team, they’ve been quick to act—reinforcing our belief that positive change is possible when we work together.
This land is precious. And while development is inevitable, so too is our responsibility to protect and preserve what makes Burke Mountain so special. Our dream was to live among the forest—but now, our purpose has grown into helping restore it for everyone who calls this place home, today and in the future. That’s why we are organizing the Burke Mountain Cleanup Day, happening on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at Sheffield Park.
This is a community-led effort to remove litter from the trails, forests, and waterways we all enjoy. Cleaning gear will be provided, and the Coquitlam Park Spark team will be joining us on site to support the initiative. The City of Coquitlam will also be providing official volunteer hours for students. This is an inclusive, family-friendly event, open to all ages and abilities. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the area, we invite you to stand with us in giving back to the land we love.
Let’s come together as a community—not just to clean up, but to care.
