Vancouver’s new Creekside Park to be designed by New York firm

One of the last undeveloped waterfront areas in downtown Vancouver will be designed by a New York City-based company.

The Vancouver Park Board says it has selected James Corner Field Operations to design the extension of the Creekside Park near Science World in northeast False Creek to build a legacy, destination park.

The firm designed New York City’s famous High Line, which transformed 23 blocks of former elevated railway into a green public park.

Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung says they hope the company will help them push the boundaries and create something unique that people will travel across the city to enjoy.

“When you build housing, you create somewhere for people to live. But when you build parks, you create neighbourhoods,” said Kirby-Yung. “You create an opportunity for people to connect, relax and really create that sense of place.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When you build housing, you create somewhere for people to live. But when you build parks, you create neighbourhoods," said Kirby-Yung. "You create an opportunity for people to connect, relax and really create that sense of place."

The park board plans to create and renew approximately 21 acres of park and open spaces in northeast False Creek connecting them with the waterfront, historic neighbourhoods and the downtown.

The company is partnering with a local landscape architectural firm that designed Hinge Park in southeast False Creek among other parks in the city. All other experts on the team are from Vancouver.

The board says the contract with James Corner Field Operations is for one year and valued at $875,000.

Public consultation is expected to take place early next year.