Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Chilliwack's newest hillside park, Qoqó:lem Park, containing uphill trails, picnic benches, and day use areas, has officially opened at 45076 Vedder Mountain Road just west of the Vedder Bridge. The total length of the new trail measures about four kilometres. The trail has approximately 60 switchbacks and an elevation gain of approximately 290 metres. The minimum width of the trail at any point is 1.8 metres.
Chilliwack's newest hillside park opens

Chilliwack’s newest hillside trail, park opens on Vedder Mountain Road

May 12, 2023 | 9:33 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack’s newest hillside park, Qoqó:lem Park, containing uphill trails, picnic benches, and day use areas, has officially opened at 45076 Vedder Mountain Road.

On city-owned land of nearly 70 acres, Qoqó:lem Park consists of multi-use trails, a parking lot, a porta-potty at the trailhead, and a day use area located four kilometres uphill from the parking area. The day use area offers benches, picnic tables, and information kiosks to curious hikers. The total length of the new trail measures about four kilometres. The trail has approximately 60 switchbacks and an elevation gain of approximately 290 metres. The minimum width of the trail at any point is 1.8 metres. There are also picnic benches within a short walk of the trailhead/parking lot area.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The city has mounted this sign to welcome visitors to Qoqó:lem Park at 45076 Vedder Mountain Road in Chilliwack.

Chilliwack City Council awarded the contract for construction of the trail at its meeting on July 19, 2022, and less than a year later, contracting crews have finished their work carving paths into Vedder Mountain.

Mountainco Contracting was awarded the request for proposal contract for $318,953, plus applicable taxes, at the July 2022 meeting.

Coming from Sardis, Chilliwack residents can access the park by crossing the Vedder Bridge and heading west as if they were going to Cultus Lake. Once you see an auto wrecker yard containing a white stretch limousine perched on your left, the parking lot entrance is on your left. There’s currently no dedicated left turn lane, heading westbound on Vedder Mountain Road, to drive into the parking lot.

“Work to create this park has been ongoing since late 2017, when the City purchased the land to consolidate properties into what will soon be Vedder Mountain Park,” Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove previously said. “While it’s taken time, making sure we create this new trail in an environmentally and archaeologically respectful manner was important, and we are looking forward to this latest addition to Chilliwack’s trail network.”

An archaeological impact assessment was conducted by the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre for the trail and parking lot. An environmental assessment was also completed by a qualified environmental professional. Adjustments to the initial plans were made to preserve areas of archaeological or environmental significance.

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