Metro Vancouver has lifted the recent food ban at White Pine Beach, though outdoor cooking is still not permitted. The restriction, introduced under the direction of the Conservation Officer Service, is intended to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food sources.
Although the bear that had been frequenting the area appears to have moved on, officials warn that unattended food or garbage could bring it back—or attract new ones. “This is part of a careful strategy to discourage bears from seeking food from human sources,” notes an advisory from the park.
Visitors are encouraged to dispose of all waste in bear-proof bins and never to approach a bear. The concession will reopen but will not serve any hot or cooked food. In Belcarra Regional Park, washrooms at the oceanfront picnic area are closed for repairs until further notice. Portable toilets are available, and drinking water can be accessed at the picnic shelters.
In Minnekhada Regional Park, a seasonal road closure began May 30 on Oliver Road, which is shut to vehicles for approximately four months due to bear activity nearby. The road remains open to pedestrians, cyclists, and authorized traffic. Drivers heading to the park should use the Quarry Road Entrance instead.
Officials are also warning of heavy construction traffic along Oliver Road as work continues on the City of Coquitlam’s infrastructure upgrades. The area is narrow with few pullouts, so delays are expected. Major work along Victoria Drive and Cedar Drive is also affecting access to the park and is set to continue into 2025.
On the trails, a bridge on the Woodhaven Swamp Loop Trail is closed due to storm damage, preventing hikers from completing the loop. Quarry Trail remains open, but it is in rough condition and may be flooded in spots, especially after heavy rainfall. Repairs are planned, but several permits are still pending.
Park users are reminded to give bears plenty of space—at least 100 metres—and to be prepared to retrace their route if a bear is spotted.
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