New Shoreline Trail boardwalk provides inclusive, climate-resilient public access to waterfront view corridor

Port Moody City Council, the Government of Canada, and the Province of B.C. open the new Shoreline Trail boardwalk in Port Moody on Sept. 13, 2025. Pictured from left to right: Elder and Knowledge Holder Carleen Thomas, MLA Rick Glumac, MP Zoe Royer, Councillor Samantha Agtarap, Mayor Meghan Lahti, Councillor Kyla Knowles, Councillor Amy Lubik, Councillor Haven Lurbiecki, Councillor Diana Dilworth, Councillor Callan Morrison

On September 13, 2025, Port Moody City Council, the Government of Canada, and the Government of B.C. celebrated the completion of the Shoreline Trail Boardwalk Replacement Project with an official opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. The full length of the new boardwalk is now open from Murray Street to Noons Creek. This redesigned structure provides inclusive, climate-resilient public access to a popular waterfront view corridor and helps to protect a critical ecosystem area for fish, birds, and other wildlife.

The new boardwalk replaces 440 metres of boardwalk, bridge, and gravel trail in Pigeon Cove at the end of Burrard Inlet’s Port Moody Arm. The original boardwalks were constructed by City crews more than 30 years ago as part of a larger trail system connecting Rocky Point Park to Old Orchard Park. The unique wooden structures were aging and frequently covered by water during king tides and damaged in storm surges. 

The benefits of the new boardwalk include:

·         safety improvements – the structure has been raised to address rising sea levels due to climate change, and railings have been added to improve safety;

·         accessibility – the new boardwalk is wheelchair accessible with design elements, such as widening the boardwalk in some places and reducing the grade of the path at entry/exit points, that improve accessibility for all trail users;

• ecosystem protection – the elevated boardwalk design discourages unsafe access to tidal mudflats, helping prevent disturbance and degradation of this sensitive habitat;
• ecological restoration – relocating bridge abutments away from creeks, transplanting existing vegetation, and planting native species contribute to the recovery and long-term health of the natural ecosystem;
• climate change resilience – the raised boardwalk is designed to withstand rising sea levels, enhancing the site's adaptability to climate-related impacts; and

·         longevity – the new boardwalk is designed to ensure a long lifespan.

The project also includes a new viewing platform located roughly midway along the boardwalk. A collaborative project with In the Presence of Ancestors, the viewing platform is the site of a new house post carved by artists from səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) in partnership with q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie First Nation) community members including q̓ic̓əy̓ Chief Grace George. Learn more at portmoody.ca/ancestors.

The project was completed in two phases. Phase 1 construction between Murray Street and Suter Brook Creek took place between January 2024 and November 2024. Phase 2 construction between Suter Brook Creek and Noons Creek began in December 2024 and was completed in September 2025. Visit portmoody.ca/shorelineboardwalk for more information.

The Shoreline Trail Boardwalk Replacement Project received funding from the Government of Canada ($495,000 for Phase 1) through PacifiCan and the Government of B.C. ($3.05 million for Phase 2) through its Growing Communities Fund. In collaboration with the Port Moody Ecological Society, artistic director Tasha Faye Evans has provided pivotal leadership for the In the Presence of Ancestors project.

Quotes

 “Spaces like the Shoreline Trail boardwalk are vital to community life and local prosperity. Through investments in Port Moody and communities across B.C., PacifiCan is creating places for people to connect while supporting a strong Canadian economy.”

-The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"This new boardwalk gives people in Port Moody safer, more accessible ways to enjoy the waterfront while protecting the natural environment. It’s a space where families, seniors and visitors can connect with nature and each other. Projects like this shows how purposeful infrastructure can support both community wellbeing and protect natural resources.”

-The Honourable Christine Boyle, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs

“The Shoreline Trail boardwalk has been an iconic landmark in Port Moody for some time. This new boardwalk is easier to use, safer to walk, and honours the land and culture that make our community unique. It's been great to see this project come to life for the people of Port Moody.”

-Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody-Burquitlam

“The boardwalks at Pigeon Cove have always been a much-loved community asset, and we’re thrilled to see this part of the Shoreline Trail open to the public once again. With the design and construction of the new boardwalk, we have prioritized safety, accessibility, and climate resilience. This project also reflects our deep commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural environment, including our tidal mudflats which are an important habitat for salmonids, waterfowl, and shorebirds. On behalf of Council, I would like to thank our federal and provincial government funding partners for their generous investment in our community. For many years to come, Port Moody residents and visitors will be able to connect with nature as they make their way across this landmark structure.”

-Meghan Lahti, Mayor of Port Moody

“In the Presence of Ancestors reminds us of our sacred responsibility to protect these waters and to shape a future grounded in prosperity and well-being for all our relations. The carving titled Sí7la – Grandmother is a collaborative carving by artists Damian George and his nephew Jonas Jones, both from səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Damian George is married to q̓ic̓əy̓ Chief Grace George. In the Presence of Ancestors is a heartfelt gesture that includes q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie First Nation) in a shared prayer for the future of these lands and waters. The carving stands in Port Moody. Sí7la – Grandmother invites us to restore our reverence for Mother Earth and honor all Life Givers as sacred.

“In the Presence of Ancestors has been a powerful journey for me over these past years. I’ve witnessed genuine heart-to-heart exchanges, deep listening, and growing respect – true steps toward understanding what it means to live together on these Coast Salish Lands and Waters. During a session when Damian was carving Sí7la at Noons Creek, a woman passed by with her two dogs. He invited her to join in, alongside his wife, Chief Grace George. They shared laughter and connection. I wasn’t there to introduce them, but that woman was our mayor, Meghan Lahti. That moment speaks to the medicine of coming together through art. We create together, and in doing so, we begin to live what we hope for. That’s how healing happens.”

-Tasha Faye Evans, In the Presence of Ancestors artistic director