The City of Coquitlam has done it again! Whoever is responsible for playground & park development in that City deserves a gold star. The playgrounds are so over-the-top creative and interactive that I’m pretty sure the planner is actually a kid. Or at the very least, a 12 year old trapped in the body of an adult. If you don’t believe me, check out these other awesome Coquitlam playgrounds: Queenston Park playground and Como Lake playground.
Rochester Park is adjacent to Maillard Middle School in Coquitlam (talk about lucky students). When we first visited, back in 2017, the playground was only half finished. Yesterday (September 2019) I took my boys back to experience the completed playground.
The play spaces are spread over three levels. The top level contains the swings, zipline, massive wooden climbing structure, small scooter park, and picnic tables. A huge metal slide connects the upper level to the middle section. The bottom of the slide deposits kids onto a large soccer field overlooking the Fraser River. There is also a brightly coloured climbing wall for the kids to explored.
The final level (the one I forgot to snap pictures of) contains a water park and sand play area. When arriving at Rochester Park I thought “oh no this park is tiny” and then we started exploring. The designers have brilliantly incorporated a massive hillside into the playground design. Kids have no choice but to roar up and down stairs to access the various sections. My two boys were dripping in sweat when I finally lured them back to the car.
The two times we’ve visited Rochester Park – 9am on a weekday in the summer and 3:30pm on a September week day – the park was deserted. I’m not sure if there are times the park is packed but we’ve thoroughly enjoyed having a truly exceptional park all to ourselves. My boys have made me promise a return visit very soon.
A stand out feature of the Rochester Park playground is the fact it appeals to a wide variety of ages. From the toddler section with climbing structures, slides and a sand pit, to the “bigger” kids climbing wonderland, kids of all ages will be thoroughly entertained here.
Rochester Park:
Address: 1390 Rochester Avenue, Coquitlam
Directions: west off of Declare Road, down 1.5 blocks and the park is on the south side
