2601 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam, BC V3C 4J2, Canada
This is a public park, with free entry. Very popular site for dog walking. For those who can hire a car, there is plenty of parking, all free. For those, like me, who rely on public transport, you can get the 169 bus from either Coquitlam Central Station (on the Millenium Line) or from Braid station (on the Expo Line). Bus stations are at the train stations, so changing between buses and trains is super easy.
Another thing I really like about the Vancouver public transport system is that all the bus stops are numbered, so you always know when you reach the right stop and how many stops you still have to go. From Coquitlam Station, get off at stop number 58080. From Braid station, get off at stop number 58081. Buses are approximately every 30 minutes. I came from Coquitlam Station, so we turned off the Lougheed Hwy and went up the hill for a few streets.
Yes, the first surprise was that the whole site is built on a hillside. So, you need good walking shoes and good mobility to get everywhere. Or you need a mobility buggy or a car to access the different areas. Some parts need walking. The second surprise was how noisy it was, especially at the lower, Circe Barracks, level. There was the major highway just yards away and a train line running alongside that.
When you get off at the bus stop, if you look up the hill, you can see the East Lawn Building, better known to Switches as General Alder’s Office.
When you look down the Hill you see the back of the Crease Building, also known as Circe Barracks.
I suggest starting uphill.
You can’t go into the buildings. There is apparently a lot of lead and asbestos in there and the BC Housing is still deciding what to do with the buildings. But you can go on the steps. I do have to say that the buildings could do with a bit of TLC.
There are steps down to the ground on both sides. At the base of each set of steps is a symbol in the paving.
Alder’s steps. In need of a good clean.
The view from the top of Alder’s steps.
Yes, there are dog walkers. I found dog walkers were great, they know everything about a place. I had taken some printed screengrabs with me and I could show them a photo print out and ask where it is and they always knew. Although the flowers in one picture did throw them when we were identifying trees.
Going down the steps and turning right led very quickly to two other familiar places. This is at the side of Alder’s Office Building.
Going round the back of the buildings shows some interesting use of space.
The camera crews clearly used a lot of high angles as well as shooting from the floor to disguise where exactly they were filming.
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