THE Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has approved what it calls an exciting new design for one of East Vancouver’s much loved neighbourhood parks.

Following approval, staff will begin implementation of a series of new features for General Brock Park, including:

• An upgraded accessible playground for adventurers of all ages, with new play equipment, boulders and logs, inclusive of sensory features.
• A new multi-sport court for basketball, ball hockey, tai chi and other activities, and new seating walls to support skateboarding.
• A new picnic area, offering panoramic views of the city.
• New walking, jogging and rolling routes around the park.
• More trees and meadow plantings to enhance the urban forest canopy and provide habitat for birds and pollinators.

In support of the Park Board’s People, Parks and Dogs Strategy, a new off-leash area (OLA) will be added to the southeast corner of the park for dogs of all sizes to let off some steam and stretch their legs.

“Neighbourhood parks offer vital space for Vancouver’s residents to rest, play and socialize, and I’m delighted to support the renewal of the much-loved General Brock Park,” says Park Board Chair Brennan Bastyovanszky. “Vibrant and accessible public spaces play a crucial role in supporting a healthy city ecosystem and I’m excited to see more new and improved parks, playgrounds and facilities come to life this year.”

The approval of the General Brock Park concept design marks the start of a busy year of Park Board-led projects across the city, including:

• Opening South Kinross Park, part of 10 hectares of new parks planned for the East Fraser Lands area, later this spring.
• Daylighting a stream in Kitsilano’s Volunteer and Tatlow parks to improve access to the English Bay shoreline.
• Renewing a playground in the south of Riley Park, featuring a new zipline, play equipment, rubber surfacing and natural play features.
• Kicking off construction on a new dog off-leash area in Downtown’s Coopers’ Park and a separated cycling path in Kitsilano Beach Park.

The renewal of General Brock Park will support the neighbourhood’s growing population and demand for access to park amenities and natural space. Over the next 18 years, residential development along Kingsway is anticipated to bring over 5,500 new residents within five minutes’ walking distance of General Brock Park.

Following Monday night’s decision, staff will begin preparing detailed designs for the renewal of General Brock Park with construction work anticipated to begin in early 2025.

For more information, visit www.shapeyourcity.ca/general-brock-park