Imagine West End Waterfront

What you need to know

We're beginning a planning process to create a comprehensive long-term vision and plan for the West End’s waterfront parks, beaches, facilities, and the surrounding street network.

What's happeningHelp imagine the future of the West End Waterfront

Shape the plan that guides a thirty-year vision of the West End Waterfront.

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Shape Your City  

The West End waterfront boasts a continuous seaside greenway, expansive beaches, and views of English Bay, the Salish Sea, and Vancouver Island beyond.

Location

The project area's parks, beaches, and streets are located on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and represents a place of great cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance.

Private residential buildings are not part of the project scope.

Waterfront parks and streets system

This is a popular and loved public space where residents and visitors come to experience nature and the ocean, enjoy leisure activities and special events, and walk or cycle on the Seaside greenway (Seawall).

The waterfront park system fronts onto the West End community, one of the densest neighbourhoods in all of BC. The area is only expected to intensify with increased population growth and tourism. This increased demand, along with climate change and aging infrastructure, will put pressure on the parks amenities and the seawall.

We aim to provide a compelling and inspiring plan, considering:

  • Park identity and functionality
  • Neighbourhood connectivity and access
  • Seawall experience and comfort enhancements
  • Coastal shoreline habitat and restoration
  • Climate change and resilience
  • Park services, facilities, and infrastructure upgrades

Why we need a plan for this area

A long-term plan will help address the pressures facing the West End waterfront while creating new opportunities to experience and enjoy the area over the next 30 years. Learn more about the challenges and opportunities.

Timeline

  • Jan - Aug 2021

    Gather information

    Gather information and stories about the neighbourhood’s parks, streets, and spaces to build a shared understanding of the area and guide high-level plans and concept development.

  • Sept - Dec 2021

    Listen and learn

    Communities share how they use, value, and experience the West End Waterfront and their vision for the future.

  • Winter 2022 - spring 2023

    Develop initial concepts and ideas

    Develop initial concepts from ideas generated from Phase 1 and 2 that support principles and visions for the West End Waterfront.

  • We are here
  • Summer - fall 2023

    Draft preferred concepts and plan

    Apply what we’ve learned to develop preferred concepts and a draft plan for the West End Waterfront.

  • Winter 2024

    Complete master plan

    Seek Council and Park Board approval of the West End Waterfront Master Plan

West End Community Plan

The West End Community Plan (approved in 2013) identified potential needs for long-term improvements to the transportation system, parks, and public spaces in the area to support the growth in the West End. The project study area overlaps a network of parks and streets that make up a total of approximately 95 acres (38 hectares).

The key components include:

  • English Bay Park
  • Sunset Beach Park
  • Morton Park
  • Alexandra Park
  • Roadways of Beach Ave, Pacific Blvd, and the foot of Davie St

These components have been combined into one study area to create a consolidated effort in improving the entire West End waterfront experience for residents and visitors alike.

Supporting policies

VanPlay: Vancouver’s Parks and Recreation Services Master Plan

VanPlay sets out priorities and provides a policy framework supporting pursuit of equity, connectivity, and access to parks and recreation.

West End Community Plan

We created the West End Community Plan to ensure that future growth in the West End meets the needs of the community. Learn more about the plan.

City of Reconciliation

Vancouver was designated a City of Reconciliation when the Reconciliation Framework was adopted by Council on July 8, 2014.

Park Board Reconciliation mission, vision, and values

Reconciliation mission, vision, and values act as a compass to guide the Park Board’s reconciliation journey.

Downtown: Places for People

We want your ideas on how to support exceptional, vibrant, and memorable experiences in downtown Vancouver.

Transportation 2040 Plan

Our plan provides a vision for how people and goods move in and around Vancouver for the next 30 years.

VanSplash: Aquatics Strategy

Dive into the future of aquatics in Vancouver!

On Water strategy

The Park Board strategy to improve non-motorized boating opportunities throughout the city.

People, Parks, and Dogs

Our strategy for creating safe, engaging park spaces for people with and without dogs.

Biodiversity Strategy

Biodiversity is part of a healthy city, supporting wildlife of all shapes and sizes and offering access to nature.

Related projects 

Park design

Learn about the park design and extended engagement with local First Nations and other area stakeholders.

South False Creek Seawall Improvements

The City and Park Board are improving conditions for people walking and cycling along the Seawall between Cambie and Burrard bridges.

Downtown: Places for People

We want your ideas on how to support exceptional, vibrant, and memorable experiences in downtown Vancouver.

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