Park Board approves road map for future of transportation in Stanley Park

At last night’s Board meeting, Park Board commissioners approved the ‘Stanley Park Mobility Study’, which provides a foundation for transportation planning in Vancouver’s largest urban park over the coming decades.

Stanley Park and its road network are seeing ever-increasing numbers of visitors with upwards of 18 million people entering the park each year. The recommendations in the mobility study include both short- and long-term measures designed to address the growing pressure on the park’s road network, while preserving access for all and retaining the qualities that make the park so well-loved.

A preliminary measure approved by Commissioners directs staff to work with TransLink and the City of Vancouver’s Engineering department to plan and implement a new bus route around the park using Park Drive. During engagement, the public and interest holders expressed the need for an accessible and efficient transit service, and public transit  was included in each of the potential mobility options presented to the public last summer.

"As Vancouver’s population grows, and the number of visitors to Stanley Park increases, it’s vital that we recognize the challenges and opportunities of managing movement to and through the area,” says Park Board Chair Laura Christensen. “This study provides a thoughtful and necessary road map to guide future planning decisions and balance the transport needs of all visitors.”

Planning for the future transport needs of park visitors

Stanley Park’s transportation system was first developed in the late 19th century with Park Drive originally built to allow for horse and carriage ‘pleasure drives' around the park. At the time, the population of Metro Vancouver was 26,000.