PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Nov. 18, 2019… Port Coquitlam introduced the new Greg Moore Trail on Friday as part of a tribute to its former long-time Mayor and Council member.

City Council, staff and community members gathered Friday at the Michael Wright Art Gallery for a special event honouring Greg Moore, who served as a City Councillor from 2002 to 2008 and Mayor from 2008 to 2018.

The event included the unveiling of a plaque for the Greg Moore Trail – an urban connector trail in north Port Coquitlam that will be enhanced in summer 2020 – and the presentation of the Freedom of the City designation, the city’s highest honour.

“We sincerely appreciate all that Greg accomplished on behalf of Port Coquitlam during his 16 years serving on City Council,” Mayor Brad West said. “Council felt that naming and enhancing a trail in Greg’s honour was a fitting recognition as he was avid champion of cycling, an active user of our parks and trails and for his dedication to improving services and the quality of life in our community.”

A life-long Port Coquitlam resident, Moore was the city’s third-longest serving Mayor and the youngest Mayor in its history. He was also the longest-serving Metro Vancouver board chair (elected to the position by his peers for seven years), and a member of Translink’s Mayor’s Council for 10 years. Highlights of his accomplishments include:

• Working with Council and staff to plan and build the city’s two largest capital projects: the award-winning Coast Meridian Overpass and the Port Coquitlam Community Centre now under construction;
• Initiating the Mayor’s Task Force on Business Development, resulting in more business-friendly practices and a provincial Open for Business Award in 2014;
• Advocating for active transportation improvements that led to greater pedestrian safety, improved transit access and enhancements to trails, paths and cycling routes including extending the Donald Pathway;
• Working with Council to secure a BC Superweek event in the community, leading to the world-class PoCo Grand Prix pro cycling event and street festival;
• Championing pioneering waste-diversion efforts that resulted in a Union of BC Municipalities award for initiatives such as being the first in western Canada to introduce automated collection trucks, and the first in Metro Vancouver to offer curbside food scraps collection and biweekly garbage pickup;
• Promoting greater use of technology to encourage public participation, leading to a Union of BC Municipalities award and honourable mention for social media and website outreach; and
• Working with Council and staff to transform two former waste-settling ponds into Blakeburn Lagoons Park, earning the city a national Sustainable Communities Award.

Moore was joined at Friday’s tribute event by his wife Erin Moore, their daughter and son-in-law Madison Moore and Tym Forbes, and his father Bruce Moore.

The 2.3-kilometre trail that has been named after Moore connects Coast Meridian Road at Cedar Creek to Lincoln Avenue at Cedar Drive. It is an important part of the city’s transportation network, linking residents to schools, parks, transit, community amenities and other destinations.

Enhancements coming in summer 2020 will include wayfinding and educational signage, gravel surfacing and drainage improvements.

The other honour bestowed on Moore, Freedom of the City, recognizes citizens for their exceptional service or contributions to the community, including former Council members who have served two or more terms. Port Coquitlam has bestowed this honour on 11 individuals since 2013.

Recipients receive a plaque, and both they and their spouses receive free admission to city-owned recreation facilities. Recipients are also automatically eligible to vote or run for office in city elections, a quaint privilege that is no longer relevant today and dates back to a time when only property owners could vote or run for municipal office.

Moore decided not to run for re-election in 2018 to pursue other challenges. He is currently Interim President and CEO at BCLC, a principal at Livable Regional Consulting, and an owner at Patina Brewing.

– 30 –

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel: 604.927.5335
Email: purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca