02 The story
A mountainside community in the making
Burke Mountain rises above northeast Coquitlam, bordering Port Coquitlam near Coast Meridian Road. For much of the 20th century its lower slopes were forest and rural land. In the 1970s there was even a small ski area here, abandoned for lack of reliable snow. Large-scale development began in the 2000s, and since then the area has filled in with new streets of detached homes, townhouses and low-rise apartments.
The community is still growing. The City of Coquitlam is guiding the creation of Burke Mountain Village, a walkable centre around David Avenue and Princeton Avenue planned to include apartments, shops, a grocery store and a public plaza. Construction began in 2026 on the Burke Mountain Community Centre, which will add pools, a gym and a library branch, with completion expected in 2029.
Trails, rivers and wild places
Nature is the main draw. Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, established in 1995, covers the rugged terrain above the neighbourhood, with demanding hiking and mountain biking routes. Minnekhada Regional Park, with its marshes and rocky lookouts, sits to the east, and the Coquitlam River runs along the western side with riverside trails and fall salmon runs. Smaller neighbourhood parks and greenbelts thread between the new streets.
Wildlife is part of life here. Black bears are common, so residents are careful with garbage and fruit trees, and hikers should carry bear spray on longer trails.
Who it suits
Burke Mountain appeals most to families who want newer homes, new schools and quick access to the outdoors. It is car-oriented for now, though bus service has grown with the population. Coquitlam Centre and the city centre are a short drive away.
