New Westminster

Community Overview

The Fraser River is a central attraction in New Westminster, interwoven with the city’s history and culture. Situated right along the river, the lively downtown district welcomes visitors with vintage shopping, diverse dining, and community festivals—all framed by lush parks and a picturesque waterfront.

New Westminster’s 10-kilometre section of the ETF trail starts on Trapp Road, where a steep hill leads to the 22nd Street SkyTrain station. The route then crosses over Stewardson Way and follows the BC Parkway to downtown’s Westminster Quay and the Fraser River Discovery Centre. As the trail approaches central New Westminster, it transitions to bike lanes along Columbia Street until the Patullo Bridge, where it splits with options to continue towards Surrey or Coquitlam. Pedestrians and cyclists who choose the Coquitlam direction will soon rejoin the Fraser River via the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway, which extends to United Boulevard. 

New Westminster At A Glance

Signage Status

Partially Signed; 2 existing signs, 68 signs recommended at 44 locations

Project Status

In Progress; 4 enhancements, 2 map sites, 1 major infrastructure upgrade

Section Length

10 km

Resources

About The Info on This Page - Canyon to Coast Trail

The information on this page currently focuses on the Canyon to Coast Trail component. Experience the Fraser (ETF) is a recreational, cultural and heritage project that extends along the Lower Fraser River Corridor connecting Hope to the Salish Sea. The project consists of three main components:

  • Greenway - The Canyon to Coast Trail

  • Blueway - recreational use of the river

  • Experiences & Attractions - major attractions and experiences, community amenities and feature points

The information provided here is specifically related to the Greenway - The Canyon to Coast Trail which is the backbone of the overall ETF project. As of 2023, a continuous route has been mapped; however wayfinding signage for the route has not been fully implemented. Community reports, maps, and other information shared here are a resource for communities for informational and planning purposes only. The final route will be determined collaboratively with partners as part of the ETF implementation process.

Learn more about the history of the project and the vision for the future:

Project History ETF Concept Plan ETF Implementation Plan