02 The story
A settled neighbourhood south of downtown
Mary Hill occupies much of south Port Coquitlam, between downtown and the Mary Hill Bypass, with the Coquitlam River to the west. It is one of the city’s more established residential areas. Most streets are lined with detached homes on generous, mostly flat lots, with some townhouses toward the northern edge near downtown. Mature trees and well-kept gardens give it a comfortable, settled feel.
The neighbourhood works well for families. Mary Hill Elementary and Kilmer Elementary, which offers French immersion, serve younger children, Pitt River Middle and Citadel Middle are nearby, and Riverside Secondary serves teens. Routley Park, recently upgraded, has a playground and tennis court, and the Robert Hope Outdoor Pool is a summer favourite.
Close to downtown and the river
Mary Hill’s biggest advantage is how close it is to downtown Port Coquitlam. Shaughnessy Street’s grocery stores, restaurants, pubs and cafés are a short drive or a reasonable walk from the northern parts of the neighbourhood. Gates Park and the paved riverside section of the Traboulay PoCo Trail sit just to the northwest, making it easy to get out for a walk or bike ride along the Coquitlam River.
The Mary Hill Bypass, along the southern edge of the neighbourhood, gives drivers direct access to Highway 1, New Westminster and Burnaby, which makes Mary Hill popular with commuters who work west of the Tri-Cities.
Tip: Mary Hill is best explored as part of a downtown visit. Grab lunch on Shaughnessy Street, then walk the river trail south toward the Fraser.
