New West residents should get their flip-flops ready as the city has deemed an urban beach to be its top priority for Westminster Pier Park.
On June 23, council endorsed a design plan for the timber wharf section of the waterfront park. Along with the urban park, new features to be added in the coming months include a river walk trail and a small off-leash area for small dogs.
“This isn’t intended for the German Shepherds of the world,” said Dean Gibson, director of parks, culture and recreation, “but more your small, petite pooches.”
Canines won’t be the only ones getting a new play area at Westminster Pier Park. Council had previously suggested staff look at the possibility of including a water play area in the park.
Although the city is unable to do a full-blown spray park because of cost issues and the need for spray parks to be located in close proximity to washrooms, Gibson said a water garden design is doable.
“We think it will be quite playful,” he said of the feature being proposed.
The sculptural water garden will include play misters where kids (of all ages) can cool down on a hot day.
Staff presented council with an overview of cost estimates of the new features to be added in the timber wharf section of the park, noting the figures are based on concept drawings.
The parks department is proposing that work on site prep and demolition ($9,800), the four-metre wide river walk trail ($7,880), the timber seating and shade trees ($105,000), the hammock area/informal sand play ($45,545) and the urban beach ($65,107) be done as part of Phase 1 in July. The outdoor activity space ($14,760), the sculptural water garden ($61,696) and off-leash dog area ($20,000) would be done in August and September.
Gibson pointed out that there is a $47,768 funding shortfall for these projects, but the plan is to “get the tender out the door” and get started on park improvements as soon as possible. He said the plan is to work within the available budget that has been approved in this year’s capital plan.
Future works at the timber wharf include a “games room” area, a sports zone and other general landscape improvements, works projected to cost $195,626.
