Project Information

Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment

• Description
• Community Participation
• Reports & Links
• Background

Project Description

The 2006-2008 Park Board Capital Plan provides $700,000 for the park upgrade and $670,000 for the field house upgrade. The combined funding for the project is $1,370,000 which includes consultants' fees, construction costs and contingencies. On June 25, 2007 the Consultant Contract was approved by Park Board.

The public consultation process (which included three public meetings, as well as dozens of meetings with the Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Committee) and the design phase began in 2007. The concept plan for the Oppenheimer Park and Field House Upgrade was presented to the public for review and evaluation at the open house held February 5, 2008 at the Life Skills Centre. Based on feedback received at that Open House, the concept plan was revised. Additional funding has been added to the project from the 2009-2011 Capital Plan, as well as DCLs. The total project budget for the building and the path is now $2.32 million.

In Spring 2008, community concern arose over the approved plan, and the removal of a number of commemorative cherry trees (Sakura) to accommodate the relocated field house. In response, the Park Board was presented with three possible options for relocation of the field house. On July 21, 2008, a revised concept plan was approved by the Board. This plan allows for the retention of all but two trees, and will include appropriate historical commemoration of the Sakura.

Upgrades to the park include a new field house and washrooms, universally accessible walkways, children's playground, sports court with basketball hoop, horseshoe pitch, patio spaces, picnic tables and seating areas, central lawn area, trees and flowers, sub-surface drainage and a new irrigation system.

The park and field house are now open to the public and construction is complete.

Community Participation

May 2007- June 2009- 30+ meetings with the Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Committee
July 12, 2007- Open House at Oppenheimer Park
Nov 20, 2007 - Open House at Buddhist Temple
February 5, 2008 - Open House at Life Skills Centre

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Reports & Links

• July 2010 Board Report: Concept Plan 
• May 2009 Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Contract Award 
• July 2008 Revised Concept Plan 
• Feb 2008 Board Report: Concept Plan 
• Jun 2007 Board Report: Consultant Contract 

Background

Oppenheimer Park, named for Vancouver's second Mayor, David Oppenheimer, was officially opened in 1898. Occupying a city block, this .98 hectare park is located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood, at the corner of Powell and Jackson Streets. The park's features include many shaded seating areas, a children's playground, shuffleboard, basketball courts, field house, softball pitch and open grassy areas.

The Oppenheimer Park Committee contacted the City of Vancouver and Park Board during the capital planning process of 2005 requesting Oppenheimer Park be considered for redevelopment in the 2006-2008 Capital Plan. The Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Committee currently consists of members of the local community, area residents, representatives from the Powell Street Festival, Aboriginal Elders Council, Watari, Strathcona BIA, Vancouver Buddhist Temple, and the Salvation Army, as well as staff from the Carnegie Community Centre Association, the Life Skills Centre, and Community Services, Planning Department. This group's interest is to understand the needs of all the current user groups, to examine design programming, and consider options for redeveloping the existing field house and park. The desired outcome is a visually appealing and inspirational park and field house, embracing elements of green design and sustainability and engendering interest and a sense of ownership amongst park users.

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