Lions Park

Markus taking a small dip in the river at Lions Park

About Lions Park

Length: 0.6km
Traffic: Low to High
Route Type: Loop

At the Markus Project, we're always on the lookout for new places to explore and we recently stumbled upon a hidden oasis right in the heart of Port Coquitlam - Lions Park. This quiet and serene park turned out to be a delightful and busy surprise, offering a perfect blend of tranquility, places to explore and unexpected discoveries.

Markus cutting through Lions Park from the parking lot

Upon arriving at Lions Park, we couldn't help but notice that the parking lot was bursting at the seams with cars. We also noticed people pumping up floaties and figured there's probably a public pool nearby. Based on this, we thought the park would be too heavy with we were surprised to see that it was anything but. Despite the full parking lot, the park itself was surprisingly empty. It seemed that most visitors were going somewhere else other than the park itself and we were determined to find out why.

With curiosity guiding our steps, we crossed through the park where we heard the sound of voices and playful yelling in the distance. We found a random trail at the edge of the page and decided to follow it. It's a bit hard to describe how to find this area - from the parking lot, we cut through the middle of the park and on that other side, that's where this trailhead is.

Markus uncovering a hidden path at Lions Park

Just a few minutes into following this trail, we stumbled upon an unexpected treasure - a hidden riverside oasis. Nestled along the tranquil waters, this riverside spot was a haven for families seeking a refreshing escape from the summer heat. What immediately caught our attention was the shallow and gentle riverbank, adorned with rounded rocks, making it safe for kids and dogs alike. It was something to behold - parents and children enjoying the water, some wading in the river, while others floated on colourful inflatables. It was evident that this riverside gem was the heart of Lions Park's charm.

Markus following the sound of voices and playful yelling in the distance to find a calm river

Even though Markus isn't a swimmer, he's willing to dip his paws into the water and on a hot summer day, that was exactly what was needed. Since Markus is a reactive dog, we didn't stay too long since it was fairly busy. That said, it was most busy with people (although there were some dogs) and Markus isn't too bad with them. From the riverside, we headed back up the trail and back into the park and did a quick lap around before we head off for the day.

Lions Park in Port Coquitlam proved to be an unforgettable destination. The intriguing blend of a full parking lot and a relatively empty park led me to a hidden riverside paradise that captured the essence of summer joy.

Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs

The busiest part of the park, at least in the summer, was definitely the riverside and this may pose a unique challenge for reactive dogs. That said, it was busy with people and not necessarily dogs (although there was at least one other dog while we were down there).

However, Lions Park itself was completely different. With its quiet and open spaces, expansive pathways and abundant grassy areas, the park offered a surprising haven for reactive dogs and their cautious owners. While the riverside may not be suitable, the park's layout and tranquil ambiance provided a reassuring alternative.

What we liked about the park

The hidden riverside oasis was pretty neat. It was enjoyable to see all the families and children having fun in the water with the summer heat.
Lions Park itself is fairly big with wide paths, which is great for reactive dogs.