New Brighton Park Shoreline Habitat Restoration Project: past updates

December 2016 

Despite the challenges of a very wet fall, the New Brighton salt marsh has seen significant developments since September. Most of the wetland is now excavated, with final grading and soil placement underway.

Aerial view of excavated wetland with final grading and soil placement

We reached a major milestone by opening the outlets to Burrard Inlet at suitable night-time low tides between November 21 and 26, 2016. It's the first time since the mid-1960s that the area has been opened up to tidal influence.

September 2016

Construction began on September 12. The construction schedule and its key components are:

  • Fall 2016 to winter 2017 – Earthworks and park feature construction: To minimize disruption to park users, construction will begin following the closure of New Brighton Park Pool for the summer.
  • Spring 2017 – Planting: The park will remain open and accessible to the public during construction. Please follow the signs in the park and be aware of construction fencing and activity.

We updated the off-leash dog areas in the park as follows.

  1. Large grass area within the circular pathway on the west side of the park: we installed fencing, two double-gated entrances, benches, and an amenity station.
  2. East beach next to the pier (not the nearby grass area or beach further east): we are closing this area temporarily to build improved pathways.

We are monitoring the off-leash areas to see if further changes are required to improve use by visitors with dogs, or to avoid conflicts with other park uses or values. Please be patient as this project develops. Learn about the People, Parks, and Dogs Strategy

May – July 2016

Read the discussion guide and consultation summary report from the May 2016 engagement period.

April 2016

The concept plan was approved by the Park Board on April 18, 2016, based on the design and public engagement process.

February 2016

The project will change how the eastern portion of New Brighton Park is used, particularly related to the location of the dog off-leash area. For that reason, we asked what you thought about the two dog off-leash area options  (400 KB) in an online questionnaire from February 1 to 15.

November 2015

The Park Board and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority held open houses on November 3 and 7 to present design concepts for the salt marsh and to receive your input.

We also conducted an online questionnaire from November 2 to 16 to ask what you think about the design concepts. Your responses will help guide development of the preferred design.

August – September 2015

The Park Board and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority held an open house on August 29 to share information about the project and receive your feedback on the design concept.

We also conducted an online questionnaire from August 26 to September 9 to ask how you use New Brighton Park and what you think about the proposed project. Your responses will help us develop the concept plan. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

July 2015

The Park Board and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority formed a stakeholder advisory group that held its first meeting on July 21.

May 2015

Port Metro Vancouver completed background technical studies.

On May 11, the Park Board approved the project's conceptual design and public engagement process.

Fall 2014

The Park Board and Port Metro Vancouver conducted a citywide review of potential sites for shoreline habitat enhancement projects.