THE FUTURE OF THE ENGLISH BAY
WATERFRONT / Part II

by John Streit
(click images to enlarge)

***STUMPING ON ENGLISH BAY BEACH (EWAN STREIT PHOTO)***

In the July edition of The West End Journal (TWEJ) we took a broad look at Imagine West End Waterfront, the nucleus of an eventual (if approved) long-term Vancouver Park Board makeover for this spectacular public property.

In this edition, we ask the Park Board why this is needed and what we could be getting for our tax dollars. Plus, we ask Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby what he thinks about the initial pitch and what he feels may be missing.

A CLOSER LOOK DOUBLE Q & A
Conversation Number One About Imagine West End Waterfront

Jordan McAuley
Planner at the Vancouver Park Board and Project Manager of the Imagine West End Waterfront project.

TWEJ: What sparked the need to develop a plan for an almost total makeover of the English Bay waterfront?

JM: The waterfront park system fronts onto the West End community, one of the densest neighbourhoods in all of B.C. The area is only expected to intensify with increased population growth and tourism. We also know that climate change is making severe storm events in Vancouver more frequent and have accelerated the need for important conversations with experts, stakeholders, and residents about how our waterfront infrastructure will adapt to the changing climate.

These factors, along with an aging infrastructure, will put pressure on the parks’ amenities and the transportation system. We know that we need to plan for the future of this area now so it can handle these pressures and can continue to be a place that people love for generations to come.

TWEJ: Is there an overall guiding philosophy?

JM: Imagine West End Waterfront will establish a long-term vision and plan for the West End’s waterfront parks, beaches, facilities and the surrounding street network. The plan will help to address impacts from climate change and sea level rise, support ecological revitalization, plan for sustainable transportation and improved accessibility, and create a vibrant and welcoming waterfront that can be used by all for the next 30 years and beyond. It is important to note that these changes will not occur all at once, but incrementally in phases between 2024 and 2050.

***ENGLISH BAY GETTING BUSY FOR FIREWORKS (EWAN STREIT PHOTO)***

TWEJ: Tell us about the three design approaches you've come up with so far.

JM: During Phase 2 of engagement, the project team prepared three approaches to help guide the plan. All three approaches explore different ways to achieve the same goals, and elements from each one can be combined. For example, all approaches include elements to make the area resilient to future sea level rise. These concepts are a work in progress and will continue to be developed to get to one conceptual design for the area. The three concepts are titled WEAVE, CARVE, and SEED.

***‘WEAVE’ IDEA SHOWING TERRACED SEATING TO SALT MARSH (CITY OF VANCOUVER IMAGE)***

WEAVE emphasizes and celebrates park activation, public life, and the movement of people by weaving diverse activities throughout the length of the park.

***TERRACED SEATING IDEA FROM ‘CARVE’ (CITY OF VANCOUVER IMAGE)***

CARVE focuses on the dynamic qualities of water, by integrating ways for people to experience fresh and salt water throughout the site.

***‘SEED’ IDEA SHOWING OPEN SPACES WITH SCULPTURED SEATING (CITY OF VANCOUVER IMAGE)***

SEED prioritises ecology and biodiversity and is influenced by the forests of Stanley Park and the historic salt marsh of False Creek

TWEJ: Two main activity "hubs" in the design approaches appear to be Morton Park and near Burrard Bridge - can you please elaborate on those?

***BURRARD BRIDGE AND MORTON PARK IDEAS (CITY OF VANCOUVER IMAGES)***

JM: Those areas are shown as more formalized plaza-like or lawn spaces, but they will still have flexible programming and would not necessarily be the busiest places on site. Vibrant activity will continue to happen site-wide, be it gathering on the beach or during celebrations such as Celebration of Light and Pride. The area under the bridge may see some adjustment as the Vancouver Aquatic Centre project progresses, and from what we’ve heard through this past round of engagement and conversations with neighbouring residents. At the end of the day, we will strive to find the right balance of activity in these areas.

TWEJ: How will bike lanes be incorporated?

JM: All three design approaches explore bike paths on Beach and Pacific to provide a safe and comfortable cycling environment for people travelling to and through the area, making connections to the City’s street network. The preferred concept will indicate where bike paths will be included within the waterfront parks.

Detailed design of the bike paths will take place during the implementation phase after approval of the West End Waterfront Plan and will meet the City’s All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Guidelines.

TWEJ: What, if anything, may be lost from the current set-up, like the Laughing Men statues, parking, skate park and outdoor ball hockey area?

JM: Rising sea levels are requiring us to think differently and consider options that will help the area withstand the impact of climate change. The West End Waterfront planning process will consider options for many of the area’s amenities and features as we imagine renewed public spaces in this area. No decision has been made to remove any of the elements you’ve mentioned, and these specific popular elements and activities will be considered as we get into greater detail in the final draft plan (expected to go out to the public in fall 2023). The areas of hardscape shown in the three concepts would be able to provide space for these things in several locations, even if not drawn in detail at this stage.

TWEJ: Anything we may have missed, or you'd like to add?

JM: The Imagine West End Waterfront project team is now reviewing the feedback received during Phase 2 of engagement, which concluded in June. This feedback will help shape a preferred design, due to be shared in a future round of engagement later this year before a final plan goes to the Park Board and City Council for approval in Winter 2024.

Q & A Part 2

Thomas Digby,
Park Board Commissioner
Green Party of Vancouver

TWEJ: What are your initial thoughts of the three concepts being presented?

TD: All three concepts provide greatly needed improvements to the West End waterfront. Our parks need to work harder for us. We need to move away from pastoral walking lawns, which I call goose pastures, and recognize more unique spaces which absorb different activities and handle more people. Biodiversity is a priority for enhanced encounters with nature.

TWEJ: In your opinion, what’s missing?

***EARLY 1900’s ENGLISH BAY PIER (JOHN STREIT POSTCARD COLLECTION)***

A destination pier. The historic turn of the previous century wooden pier was a landmark and draw for all diverse communities of Vancouver. It could have an inter-tidal pavilion which allowed access to the deep inter-tidal zone, perhaps with underwater windows.

TWEJ: Is enough being done for climate change mitigation?

Each plan brings enhanced biodiversity, but SEED does the most for climate mitigation. Sea level rise will transform the shoreline in the next 50 years. SEED provides a planned retreat from confrontation. The other plans tend to confront the sea more and will require more maintenance and regular closures.

***ROCKY ENGLISH BAY SHORELINE (EWAN STREIT PHOTO)***

TWEJ: Many will say the English Bay waterfront “is fine the way it is.” Do you believe that?

TD: Population growth and climate change means we need to plan for change. We need to see our city with new eyes. The current West End waterfront privileges certain selected limited uses. We can provide more opportunities for different types of people and for different activities. The plans respect the need for enhanced urban biodiversity and shoreline climate adaptation… it’s time we do this.

TWEJ: Anything else you’d like to add?

***FUTURE SITE OF A NEW VANCOUVER AQUATIC CENTRE (CITY OF VANCOUVER IMAGE)***

I do not yet have sufficient clarity on the design options around the new Vancouver Aquatic Centre. I am anxious that roller skate dance clubs continue to find excellent surfaces, and skateboarders too. But all this needs to fit with a high quality dog park near the bridge. And many residents have voiced concern about noise under the bridge. So, I’m looking forward to hearing detailed plans for this part of the West End waterfront.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The above interview with Jordan McAuley to correct a mistake in attribution. The West End Journal apologizes for the error.

West Ender John Streit has been a B.C. radio, TV and online journalist for more than 20 years.
You can listen to him anchor Global News on 980/CKNW in Vancouver.