Quarry Cycle Castle Park : Revealing and Re-imagining Identity in a Post-Industrial Park

"During the 1920s to 70s, Port Coquitlam’s Castle Park served as the site of a major quarry and gravel pit. Through hydraulic mining and continuous cycles of erosion, residue, and deposition, the site was heavily excavated, supplying concrete aggregate for Vancouver’s many historical developments. Soon after its closure, riverside land reclamation and housing severed the site from direct connection to the Fraser River, bounding the unhealed land into what would become Castle Park. While known today as the city’s annual Canada Day celebration spot, Castle Park’s static design conceals much of its quarry history. The irregular terrain, persistent onsite erosion, and expansive openness introduced by the quarrying cycle subtly remind us of its unresolved state. This project re-envisions Castle Park to reveal and celebrate its underlying stories while enriching the experience for seasonal multifunctionality. By revisiting and re-engaging with the cycles of erosion, residue, and deposition that originally shaped the park, the project seeks to reconcile the disharmonious flows of water, landform, and people toward a more authentic, resilient identity of the space."