Imagine West End Waterfront

The West End waterfront (English Bay, Sunset Beach Park, Morton Park, Alexandra Park, and Beach Avenue) is a popular and beloved public space.

This area is experiencing the impact of climate change and sea level rise, increased demand on the park due to population rise, and facilities that are reaching the end of their life. We need a long-term plan so this place can respond to these pressures and ensure it's enjoyed and ecologically resilient for years to come.

It is important that we make these changes now to tackle ongoing environmental damage to the West End's coastal infrastructure. This plan aims to address some of the challenges facing Vancouver's shorelines, as shown by the recent damage to Stanley Park and English Bay Seawall, Kitsilano Pool, and Jericho Pier, and to improve the region's long-term climate resilience.

This shoreline is the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands and waters of the xwməθkwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, and a place of great cultural, spiritual and ecological significance to them. Consultation with the three Host Nations as rights and titleholders of these unceded lands and waters, and participation of urban Indigenous residents will guide how the future West End waterfront could be a great place for Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh community members and Indigenous Peoples.

The project planning process will uphold and build on the many Reconciliation commitments made by the Vancouver Park Board and City of Vancouver.

The Imagine West End Waterfront team is excited to share what we heard from the second round of community engagement on design approaches and ideas. Round 2 of engagement took place from April 21 to June 1 2023.

In this round of engagement we shared three initial design approaches (PDF, 14.6 MB) for the area (Weave, Carve, and Seed) and the vision, principles, and goals (PDF, 251 KB) for community input.

Community shared input on:

• draft Vision, Principles, and Goals
• public life, which included park programming and activities as well as facilities and amenities
• transportation needs
• environment including ecology, adapting to sea level rise and climate change, and;
• emerging big ideas for key areas of the waterfront.

We heard that you want the future West End waterfront to be a place that includes:

• A mix of active and passive uses throughout the site.
• Improved facilities like washrooms, changing areas, and water stations. Some would like better access to the water.
• Active and sustainable transportation prioritized, while ensuring that residents and visitors who drive continue to be able to access the area and park near their destinations.
• Deep appreciation for the quiet, peaceful and green qualities of the area today.
• Commitment to an environmentally resilient place
• A joyful place where people of all ages can gather
• A connected place that acknowledges the unique characteristics of the West End neighbourhood.

Feedback gathered during Round 2 builds on community input from Round 1: Listen and Learn in Summer-Fall 2021 that helped shaped the draft vision, principles and goals.

Read our Round 2 engagement report to learn more about community feedback on design approaches and ideas for the Imagine West End Waterfront Plan.

Round 2 What We Heard Report Summary (PDF, 13.4 MB)

(reading time: 20-25min)

This document summarizes community engagement through Round 2: design approaches and ideas, and includes key findings on feedback we heard about design approaches, public interests, and possible big ideas of West End waterfront.

Round 2 What We Heard Report Appendix (PDF, 23.3 MB)

(reading time: as long as you want to get into detail)

This report is an in-depth look at all engagement activities for Round 2: design approaches and ideas, such as: the online survey, stakeholder workshops, virtual workshops, and public pop-up events.

The Imagine West End Waterfront team is excited to share what we heard from the first round of community engagement - Listen and Learn. Round 1 of engagement took place over two-and-half month period from late August to late-November 2021.

People shared what they love, what they would change, and what is important for the future of this special place.

We heard that you want the future West End waterfront to be a place that is:

- Visibly acknowledging Host Nations’(Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples) territory and living connection to lands and waters
- Safer, accessible, and inclusive
- Environmentally and ecologically healthy
- Multi-functional and flexible for a variety of uses and experiences
- Serviced with improved facilities

Phase 1 What We Heard Report Graphic Summary (PDF, 8.5 MB)
(reading time: 5-10min)
This short graphic summary is a visual snapshot of what we heard and learned in Round 1: Listen and Learn.

Phase 1 What We Heard Report Summary (PDF, 2.7 MB)
(reading time: 20-25min)
This document summarizes community engagement through Round1: Listen and Learn, and includes key findings on public engagements events, emerging vision themes and goal themes.

Phase 1 What We Heard Report Appendix (PDF, 35.9 MB)
(reading time: as long as you want to get into detail)
This report is an in-depth look at all engagement activities for Round1: Listen and Learn, such as: Community Conversations, Community Pop-ups, and the TalkVancouver Survey.