The Donald Storywalk in Port Coquitlam is a seasonal outdoor literary installation along the Donald Pathway, where illustrated story panels invite visitors to read as they walk. First introduced around 2020 as part of community arts programming, the project was created through a partnership between the City and the Terry Fox Library to promote literacy, celebrate local writers, and activate public space with accessible, family-friendly art.
Each year, a new edition of the Storywalk features winning entries from the City’s May Days Flash Fiction Contest, with selected short stories professionally illustrated and displayed outdoors—bringing local storytelling to life in a unique, interactive format.
May Days Writing Contest: Tiny Stories About Strange Worlds
Worlds of wonder and curiosity, worlds that astound and amaze! Tell us a story about a strange world or alternate reality. Who lives there? What challenges do they face? What do they dream of?
Current Donald Storywalk: Tiny Stories about Big Adventures
Adventures both real and imagined, come in all shapes and sizes – they can be about a person, a captivating place or a memorable experience. Stroll the Donald Storywalk between Elks Park and Wilson Avenue for eight charming stories from the 2025 Tiny Stories about Big Adventures contest, all written by Port Coquitlam residents. Each panel is exquisitely illustrated by B.C. artist, Madeline Berger. Madeline is a comics creator, illustrator, and part-time gardener. They create quick narratives and busy illustrations about community care, queer identity, and relations beyond the human form. In their work, they prioritize accessible colour schemes and innovative compositions. Visit instagram.com/fungalmatters/ to learn more about the illustrator.
This project is a collaboration between the City of Port Coquitlam, and the Terry Fox Library. This community arts project promotes literacy and enhances the City’s outdoor spaces.
The eight selected stories include:
- An Adventure Called Canada by Kateryna Shumovska
- Clerodendrum by Elissa Cook
- Mother Natures Clarion Call by Susan Cairns
- Side by Side by Laura Collini
- Tammy Tornado by Adam Cook
- The Book Wyrm by Gryphon Pownall
- The Family Farmhouse by Tara Nykyforiak
- The Night the Power Went Out by Ziggy Linklater
Read or listen to the stories below!
