Thornton Park Re-opening Celebration

June 22, 2003

June 20, 2003 (No 37) - The Vancouver Park Board and Strathcona Community Centre are hosting an opening celebration on Sunday, June 22 from 11 am to 1 pm to mark the completion of the redevelopment of Thornton Park, located at Main Street and Terminal Avenue. Park Board Chair Heather Deal will officiate at the ceremony. Food, entertainment, music, crafts for the kids, and a special visit by the Carnegie Dragon will round out the event.

Thornton Park is a 1.5 hectare park which acts as a forecourt to two important gateways: the Pacific Central bus/train station and the SkyTrain. It is also an important green space along Main Street, one of the main vehicular entries into downtown Vancouver. The park was developed in 1923 and has become one of the finest ornamental parks in Vancouver with many large and significant specimen trees. In 1997, The Women's Monument, consisting of 14 benches of pink granite, was installed in the park as a memorial to women who are victims of male violence.

The concept for the $560,000 redevelopment of the park reflects the history of the park, its original design and the architectural significance of the adjacent train station, while addressing current needs related to increased pedestrian traffic and safety issues. Funds for the project were provided through the Bosa CityGate Payment-In-Lieu Fund.

The design includes more openness on the perimeter of the park through the replacement of shrubs with annual and perennial plants, improvements to night lighting, a new pedestrian plaza adjacent to the SkyTrain, a large entry plaza across from the train station, improved drainage and irrigation, and additional benches and picnic tables.

The initial concept for the park upgrade was expanded after community interest group consultations and design workshops were held, including reviews by the Downtown Eastside Core Committee, Planning Department, Engineering Department and the Vancouver Heritage Commission.

Jonathan Losee Ltd. developed the plan for the park's redevelopment and the construction was carried out by T. Moscone & Bros. Landscaping Ltd.

For more information contact: Carol DeFina, Communications Coordinator, 604-257-8440.

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