Marpole is one of the city's oldest communities, and the one visitors see first when entering from the south.
Stretching from Angus Drive to Ontario Street, and from West 57th Avenue to the North Arm of the Fraser River, the region's traffic passes through this neighbourhood, just as it did years ago.
Because demand for new development is growing, City staff are working on a community plan, to ensure that future growth in Marpole meets the needs of the community.
About Vancouver's community planning
A community plan is a clear but flexible framework for guiding positive change and public benefit in a neighbourhood. The plan considers long-range and short-term goals for a neighbourhood.
All community plans help the City work toward broader objectives established for the entire city and region, but still recognize the specific issues and initiatives of each area.
This plan, which will be developed with input from everyone in the community — residents, business owners, experts, advocates, and other stakeholders — will help guide growth and development throughout the neighbourhood in the coming years.
What do you think about our emerging strategies for this plan?
March 5, 2013 – We have now completed our second and final open house on 4 March 2013. Weren’t able to attend? No problem. All of the open house boards are available under the 'documents' tab. You can share your thoughts on the planning process so far by completing our questionnaire.
This survey closed April 1. Thank you for your interest.
What we heard from the Street-to-Park information Session on Marpole Park
February 25, 2013 – In January 2013, we asked residents what they thought about converting a street around Marpole or “Triangle” Park into more park space. Visit the Documents tab to find out what your neighbours and others told us.
Open houses and workshops
February 15, 2013 – Since we started the community planning process in April 2012, we have been out in the community listening to what you have had to say on a range of topics that affect your neighbourhood. Now it's time to shape the draft plan before it is completed in June.
Come to one of our open houses or workshops in late February or March to share your thoughts!
Both the open houses and workshops are free to attend. However, numbers at our workshops are limited, so registration is required. Reserve your place now:
What we heard from the Street-to-Park information Sessions on Ebisu and Shaughnessy Parks
January 18, 2013 – At our two information sessions in November 2012, we asked residents what they thought about converting a street into more park space to expand Ebisu Park and Shaughnessy Park. Check the Documents tab to find out what your neighbours and others told us.
Marpole Park Street-to-Park Information Session
January 10, 2013 – In December 2012, we held information sessions to hear what residents thought about converting a street into more park space to expand Ebisu Park and Shaughnessy Park. At these sessions, many also suggested expanding Marpole Park.
Join us at an information session to learn more about the idea of transforming a street around Marpole Park into more park space, offer your feedback and imagine what you'd do with more park space.
Marpole Park Street-to-Park Info Session Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 10 am – 12 noon
Marpole Park (West 72nd Avenue and Cartier Street)
See maps of the proposed expansion areas on the Details tab
You can also share your thoughts online. Fill in the comment form by February 11, 2013.
Last chance to have your say on the Street-to-Parks project
December 7, 2012 – Ebisu Park and Shaughnessy Park could be expanded by transforming a street into more park space. The initiative would also be part of the City's Greenest City intiatives. Tell us what you think through the online comment form by December 10, 2012.
Walking tour wrap-ups
November 19, 2012 – During our urban design walking tours in October, 35 participants braved heavy rain to explore four different and distinct areas of Marpole: Oak Street, Granville Street, Cambie Corridor and Lower Hudson. Participants chose their preferred area and headed out with an urban designer, City staff and fellow "Marpolians" to explore the neighbourhood with an eye toward key planning themes including housing, transportation, parks and public space, community amenities and land use. The walking tours were followed by a two-hour group design session, which resulted in a collection of ‘big ideas’ for the future of Marpole.
November 8, 2012 – Since the City of Vancouver launched the Marpole Community Plan process this spring, we’ve heard that improving and expanding Marpole’s parks is a priority to you. As part of the current Greenest City initiatives, we can help make this happen! Ebisu Park and Shaughnessy Park could be expanded by transforming a street into more park space.
See maps of the proposed expansion areas on the Details tab.
Tell us what you think through the online comment form by December 10, 2012.
You can also join us at an information session on street-to-park conversions to learn more, offer your feedback, and imagine what you'd do with more park space.
Ebisu Park Street-to-Park Info Session Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 10 am – 12 noon
Ebisu Park (at Selkirk and W 72nd Ave.)
Shaughnessy Park Street-to-Park Info Session Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Shaughnessy Park (south end of Shaughnessy Street)
Open houses and foundational principles
November 2, 2012 – In September, we held two open houses and a series of focus groups to get the community’s ideas and thoughts on foundational principles that will guide the Marpole Community Plan. More than 200 participants attended these events.
The principles are intended to inform comprehensive planning in Marpole, as well as shape future growth and development in the community. These open houses were designed to encourage participants to show us what these principles could mean at the neighbourhood level.
October 18, 2012 – Thanks to everyone who turned out for the walking tour on October 13. During the tour, we reflected on Marpole's four different and distinct areas and explored the neighbourhood, discussing key planning themes: housing, transportation, parks and public space, community amenities, and land use.
October 3, 2012 – At our September 2012 open houses, we presented details about the planning principles for Marpole and how they’re shaped by city-wide and regional policies/initiatives and community input.
September 2012 – During Phase I of the Community Plan, we held a series of open houses and community cvents to hear your thoughts about Marpole. As part of these events, we set up asset mapping displays, where you showed us what you love and dislike, and gave us some great ideas for the future of Marpole.
We have now mapped this information, and created an online version for you. By clicking on each marker, you can see the comments participants made in regard to a specific location.
September 2012 – The Marpole Community Plan questionnaire identifies key assets, issues and opportunities important to the Marpole community. The information gathered through this process is part of a wider collection of information which will help identify opportunities and set priorities for positive change and growth in the coming decades.
Over the period that the questionnaire was open for community input (between May 1 – May 22, 2012), we promoted it at our open houses, in focus groups (youth, seniors, Chinese residents, and other established groups), at special events (storytelling night, walking tours), and through distribution on the street and at transit stations. All together, we chatted with over 1,000 people and received 525 completed questionnaires.
Thank-you all very much for your involvement, enthusiasm and input!
September 2012 – Phase I 'Report Out' panels provide highlights from our questionnaire, as well as selected input from our other outreach events (focus-group and asset-mapping). When you read them, please bear in mind that they represent a summary of the material that we collected and are part of a larger body of Phase I work.
The Marpole Planning Team held several report-back events to share what was heard from the community so far. This included results from: the Marpole questionnaire, the “places I love and places I would change” mapping activity, conversations with you at our kick-off events in May, and feedback from youth, seniors, and Chinese residents. This was a chance for the community to see what has been said so far and to help fill in any missing pieces.
July 14, 11 am – 3 pm – Marpole Summerfest
July17, 4 – 8 pm – Oak Park
July 19, 4 – 8 pm – Ebisu Park
Transportation 2040 meeting
July 2, 2012 – As part of the Transportation 2040 Plan Phase 2 process, staff met with 20 community members to identify ways to improve cycling, walking, and transit for getting around in Marpole. The plan will provide a vision for the next 30 years and guide transportation decisions on how people and goods will move in and around Vancouver for the next 15 years.
Exploring Neighbourhood Energy Futures – Marpole session
May 26, 2012 – The first of two special hands-on workshop on energy futures was held at the historic Marpole United Church. Participants explored how energy works in Marpole, and how to start planning and designing for a lower carbon future.
May 6, 2012 – Residents joined Marpole local Jo-Anne Pringle and urban designer Margot Long as they explored the diversity of features that make Marpole unique on a walking tour that was part of the Jane's Walk series.
City of Vancouver planner, Lil Ronalds, was on hand to answer questions about the Marpole Community Plan and discuss opportunities to get involved.
May 5, 2012 – The second Open House showcased an assortment of activities that gave local residents a chance to weigh-in on the various issues, assets and opportunities in Marpole.
The family friendly event also included live music, face painting and button making activities!
May 2, 2012 – The first of two open houses showcased an assortment of activities that gave local residents a chance to weigh-in on the various issues, assets, and opportunities in Marpole.
May 1, 2012 – The City of Vancouver held the Marpole Community storytelling event at the Metro Theatre. Kicking off the Marpole Community Plan process, the event covered a wide range of stories including cultural tales, the story of Musqueam settlement and the Great Marpole Midden, the story of a Chinese immigrant new to Canada and more.
The event was also an opportunity for community members to understand the community planning process and have their say about issues and opportunities facing Marpole.
January 9, 2012 – The workshop was held at the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, and 18 participants attended. The purpose of the workshop was to:
Identify assets and issues in the community
Identify key areas in the neighbourhood that are in the greatest need of attention during the planning process
Review opportunities for strengthening community involvement and broadening participation during the planning process
The input provided in the workshop will feed into the Marpole Community Plan Terms of Reference (TOR) – a document which sets the overall scope of the plan.
City Council directs staff to begin community plan program
28 July 2011 – City Council voted to direct staff to begin a new community plan program for Marpole.
A workshop on Parks and Public Space in Marpole takes place March 13, 2013. The background document provides information on the following themes: Parks and Open Space, Public Spaces and Facilities, Food, Services, and Public Realm, Access and Linkages.
A workshop on transportation in Marpole took place March 6, 2013. The background document is divided into four major sections - each reflecting a particular area of interest to Marpole: Walking, biking, public transit, and motor vehicles (including cars, trucks and parking).
On March 2 and 4, 2013, open houses were held where we shared emerging strategies that will become part of the Marpole Community Plan. If you weren't able to attend one of the open houses, you can view the information boards here. You can also share your thoughts by completing the feedback form.
In January 2013, we asked residents what they thought about converting a street around Marpole or “Triangle” Park into more park space. Here's the feedback we received:
In December 2012, we held information sessions to hear what residents thought about converting a street into more park space to expand Ebisu Park and Shaughnessy Park. Here's the feedback we received:
Work on the new Marpole plan will be completed in four key stages.
During each stage, there will be a number of opportunities for community participation and public involvement:
Phase 1: Spring 2012
The first phase of work will launch the project, and consists of:
The compilation of relevant city-wide policy
A review of existing research on neighbourhood issues
Community discussions on Local Area needs, challenges and opportunities related to the key areas of focus
The development of a Local Area Profile
The Profile will be based on a variety of data sources and include sections such as demographics (e.g. population, age, household income, tenure, etc.), forecasts and demographic changes, housing stock (e.g. type, age, tenure, etc.), assessment of potential change and development under existing zoning, synopsis of existing land use and built form, community service needs, cultural spaces, health indicators, sustainability indicators, social development issues, business activity, and water/sewer/storm infrastructure.
Details of the Profile will be provided in at the end of phase 1.
Phase 2: Fall 2012 to Spring 2013
The second phase of the project will be used to generate a plan and policy, and is comprised of three steps.
Step 2.1: Community-wide policies
This part of the program will look at key themes and topic areas. The main steps include:
Generating policy options
Broad public review of options, leading to refinements
Staff recommendations regarding the options
Incorporating the policies into the overall community plan
Step 2.2: Sub-area plans
The process involves open meetings and dialogue with stakeholders to collaboratively produce sub-area plans. The main steps include:
Review of existing policy, land use and transportation patterns
Urban design and economic analysis of options for new development, including alternative land uses
Examination of potential public benefits and improvements to public spaces
Identification of public open space opportunities
Opportunities to optimize street design and enhance active transportation and transit service
Step 2.3: Community action projects and plans
This part of the program focuses on initiatives to take coordinated action on pressing social issues, placemaking initiatives, community development opportunities and other actions that can be accomplished during the planning process.
Some initiatives may be project based (such as urban agriculture and community gardens). Others may be more comprehensive explorations of issues and opportunities for community and service providers to pursue.
Local Area interests and needs, and the availability of staff, volunteers and budget will determine the extent to which new action projects can be undertaken during community planning.
Phase 3: Summer to Fall 2013
At this stage all the elements of the community plan will be brought together for broad community review. The main steps include:
Preparing a draft community plan that combines the community-wide policies and sub-area plans
Identification of recommended priorities and other implementation-related activities
A final broad public review of the draft plan
In an effort to ensure transparency in the process, staff will endeavour to provide a clear link between the ideas generated in Phase 2, and the recommended policies that are included in the plan, so participants will be able to see how their ideas have been incorporated.
Phase 4: Fall to Winter 2013
During Phase 4, the plan will be finalized and prepared for presentation to Council, including:
Modifying and refining the draft plan based on feedback staff preparation of a report for Council
Forwarding the draft plan to Council for adoption and to the Park Board and the School Board for consideration of parks and recreation, or education-related matters
Details on the Street-to-Park initiative in Marpole
Ebisu Park, Shaughnessy Park and Marpole Park could be expanded by transforming a street into more park space. The Marpole Community Plan team has heard from area residents and stakeholders that improving and expanding local park space is a priority. The initiative would also be part of the City's Greenest City intiatives.
Ebisu Park - Two options for proposed expansion shown in blue and red
Shaughnessy Park - Option for proposed expansion shown in yellow
Marpole Park - Options for proposed expansion shown in shaded colour areas
Work leading up to this community plan
Marpole has been the subject of a number of planning initiatives since 1980:
The Marpole Plan (1980)
This plan provided direction on topics such as streets and park improvements, traffic management, housing, and shopping area revitalization. In the 1980s parks projects were completed and an area west of Granville was zoned for apartments.
The Oakridge Langara Policy Statement (1995)
This policy included part of the Marpole local area. Among other things, it called for provision of park space to serve Marpole. The Vancouver Park Board has since acquired land for park purposes at 71st and Osler, and on the Fraser shore east of the Oak Street Bridge.The Industrial Lands Policies (1995) directed that the industrially-zoned areas between Marine Drive and the Fraser River remain for industrial use.
CityPlan: Directions for Vancouver (1995)
CityPlan is a citywide plan that will guide City decisions on programs, priorities and actions through 2021. CityPlan provides general directions for a range of topics and issues in which the City is involved including neighbourhood centres, housing variety and affordability, neighbourhood character, services, safety, arts and culture, public places, economy and jobs, transportation, environment, downtown development, financial accountability, and decision making.
The Community Visions Program is a component of CityPlan that provides each community with an opportunity to look into its future, determine its needs and aspirations, and set a course that is consistent with CityPlan. Community visioning is being implemented in areas where there has been little or no previous community planning.
Open House: Marpole Oakridge Community Centre
