View of KitsilanoBeach Park from the Yew Street park entrance facing north. There is a shared walking and cycling path where two people with strollers are standing and talking. The path is lined by a row of trees leading to the beach and English Bay

Kitsilano Beach Park Seaside Greenway improvements project

Work to improve access to and through Kitsilano Beach Park via the Seaside Greenway has now been completed.

A new separated cycling path connecting Balsam Street and McNicoll Avenue provides a safe, accessible, and seamless route for those looking to walk, bike or roll through this popular section of our pedestrian and cycling network.

The project also features improved entryways into the park, added planting at the park entrance on Cornwall Avenue at Yew Street, and additional biking parking near the popular Kitsilano Beach.

Explore the new Seaside Greenway route (540 KB)

Project timeline

May 2021

Temporary safety improvements

Temporary improvements were implemented in the south parking lot and on the diagonal dirt path near Balsam Street.
August 2021

Engagement round 1: priorities and possibilities

The first round of engagement asked park and Greenway users, residents, and businesses what is important to them regarding how they access and connect to Kitsilano Beach Park and the Seaside Greenway.
October 2021

Engagement round 2: cycle path route options

The second round of engagement asked people to evaluate different separated cycle path design options based on the values and priorities identified in round 1, and helped identify a preferred route for the path.
February 2022

Engagement round 3: preferred route

The third round of engagement in early 2022 helped to confirm and fine-tune the preferred route. Feedback was used to finalize the route that was presented to the Park Board for decision.
Review the engagement results
April 2022

Park Board decision

The Park Board approved the proposed separated cycle path
September 2023

Detailed design

Detailed design complete
Fall 2024

Construction

Construction start
Fall 2025

Construction

Construction complete

Project history
- In October 2013, the Park Board approved a preliminary alignment for a separated cycling path and capital funding for Seaside Greenway improvements in Kitsilano Beach Park. However, implementation of the path was put on hold due to concerns raised by the public about impacts on Kitsilano Beach Park.
- Staff presented a few alignment options for a separated cycling path to the Board in March 2018:
- Park Board Commissioners expressed concerns (226 KB) over the apparent lack of detail and directed staff to undertake further analysis and design work, and conduct more public engagement, and then report back with more detailed information. Review a summary of the feedback (705 KB)
- Staff worked to develop more detailed design information and provided an update to the Board in March 2020 (263 KB), but with staff turnover and the onset of the pandemic, Park Board priorities changed.
- A February 2021 Board briefing memo (304 KB) provided an update on the project, including temporary safety improvements and upcoming public engagement
- In mid-May, staff implemented these temporary safety improvements, which included a separated cycling path in the south parking lot near Cornwall Avenue and a diagonal path near Balsam Street. These changes, detailed in a briefing memo (239 KB) dated May 4, 2021, were made to address short-term safety concerns while work is underway, to identify a route for a separated cycling path
- A Park Board General Manager’s report (294 KB) and presentation (1.7 MB) at the Park Board meeting held on July 19, 2021 outlined three rounds of public engagement that will help determine the preferred cycle path route
- The Park Board approved the proposed separated cycle path at Kitsilano Beach Park presented by staff at the board meeting held on April 11, 2022. Review the Seaside Greenway Proposal report (2 MB)
Related documents and policies