Lafarge Lake
Markus trying to outshine the star at the Lights at Lafarge event at Lafarge Lake, British Columbia
About Lafarge Lake
Type: Park
Length: 1.5 km
Traffic: Heavy (during Lights at Lafarge)
Route Type: Loop
Markus posing in front of light trees and real trees at the Lights at Lafarge event at Lafarge Lake
It's Christmas season and in the city of Coquitlam in British Columbia, it's time for the Lights at Lafarge. This annual Christmas event is a wonderland of over 100,000 Christmas lights turned into installations as you walk your way around Lafarge Lake. The event runs from late November to about mid-January and it is free and a lot of fun for the family including dogs!
Since we came just after sunset, we couldn't see much of the actual park to provide you a breakdown of that, but the light decorations were very creative! There were lights that were made with recycled bottles to look like flowers, archways, lights arranged to resemble characters or creatures, a sleigh and so much more. Outside the park, there were also food trucks where you can get some hot chocolate in case you get cold. Depending on the weekend that you come, there might be other activities within the park as well.
Markus trying to be his best Santa Paws riding on a sleigh at the Lights at Lafarge event at Lafarge Lake
Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs
The walk around Lafarge Lake isn't too bad for reactive dogs. The path itself isn't too long, but it does get busy for the Lights at Lafarge event. If your dog isn't great with crowds, you might want to come earlier when the event has just opened. The crowds tend to arrive after it's dark out. Coming earlier will give you a better chance of finding parking as well, which is good for when it gets busy. During our time here, we didn't come across too many dogs, but there were definitely a few. The paths are wide enough and there are enough people walking about that the dogs weren't reacting to each other, though.
It's a short update this week, but if you have the chance, we'd recommend making a stop at Lafarge Lake during the Christmas season for the Lights at Lafarge event. It'll bring out the Christmas spirit in your dog!
Disclaimer
Markus is a reactive, but not aggressive dog. His instinct is to avoid other dogs and he may growl, bark or lunge if provoked, but will not attack. We normally do not have issues with leashed dogs when both sides are controlled, but we will be on guard when an oncoming dog is not leashed. There are varying levels to a dog’s reactivity and only you can decide if this park, trail or hotel is appropriate for your dog. Our visits generally will not include off-leash areas; most experiences shared on The Markus Project are within leashed or undefined areas.
Please remember that our past experience visiting a park, trail or hotel may not be the same as your experience at the same park, trail or hotel. We have no control of who visits the park and whether they adhere to park rules - like leashing their dogs on leash-required paths - or not. Please use your discretion with the information provided and with your personal knowledge of your dog’s reactivity when visiting these parks, trails or hotels.