The process towards a new, official park in Vancouver is slowly moving forward.
On Monday, Nov. 4, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved the designs for the first phase of what's been dubbed "East Park" by the city.
The new park project was announced almost two years ago and will occupy a chunk of land south of Science World hugging False Creek and continuing south into Olympic Village.
Now, after public consultations earlier this year that came up with two concepts, the park board has approved an idea for the first phase that pulls from both.
“The designs introduce access to natural areas and large open spaces to support events as well as a variety of casual uses. I can’t wait to see the first phase of the East Park project come to life," said board chair Brennan Bastyovanszky in a press release.
Features in the new park
The city calls the new park "exciting" and that it's intended to be "a new waterfront destination," in a media release.
The first phase will stretch south from False Creek and the seawall, covering an area that's already functionally a park (though it's essentially a grassy patch with much of the area fenced off with a low wooden fence) and a parking lot.
The majority of the area will become a grassy field (or "central lawn" as the park board calls it), with trees around it. North of it will be a "songbird tree grove."
"The songbird tree grove provides shady seating areas nestled amongst the plantings creating a tranquil retreat for small groups or individuals seeking relaxation away from the more open and active areas of the site," reads the staff presentation to the park board.
The area will also have separated cycling and walking paths connecting to the seawall and the Central Valley Greenway, a cycling path that connects Vancouver and Burnaby.
There will also be a "flexible active zone" for fitness programming.
One thing that isn't changing is Ontario Street. Earlier designs considered closing the block next to the park, but after public consultation the street will remain.
The next steps
Construction will be the next step for areas covered by Phase 1, but that's not expected to start until late 2026.
It's currently scheduled to wrap up in late 2028. The estimated cost for the first phase is around $12.25 million.
When Phase 2 happens is dependent on the Expo Deck Deconstruction project, which will remove the deck area near Science World as it comes to the end of its service life, according to a city report.
A $4.5 million contract was awarded this summer to deconstruct the Expo Deck.
Phase 2 of East Park will see the shoreline exposed by the removal of the deck turned into a "green and lush habitat."
