New Westminster is seeking input on what to do with a portion of Westminster Pier Park that is currently unprogrammed.
The city is inviting residents, businesses, community groups and organizations to offer their thoughts about uses for the Timber Wharf section of the park, which is the asphalt section at the east end. The western portion of the park has been fully developed and includes two playgrounds, open space, gardens, a waterfront boardwalk, a sport court, public art features and a concession building known as Lytton Square.
After more than a year of construction, the $25.9 million park opened in June. While the infrastructure below the western section was completely rebuilt with new pilings, the Timber Wharf section will be developed in the future and remains on its original wood pilings.
Dean Gibson, the city's director of parks, culture and recreation, said the city is encouraging people to offer their thoughts on the use of the Timber Wharf. He noted that the city had received about 20 responses to questionnaires within hours of it being posted online.
The City of New Westminster wants to develop interim uses for the Timber Wharf that enhance the attractiveness of the park overall, and make this section inviting and fun.
Coun. Bill Harper questioned why it has taken so long to get to the point where the city is asking for input on this portion of the park, as he feels it's critical component as it complements the existing park.
"I am not happy with how this is moving," he said at the Oct. 1 council meeting. "I think it should be moving more quickly."
Harper said his understanding is that the "festival lawn" portion of the park was a place that could be used for festivals, but an arts group had proposed an arts festival on that area and was told it couldn't be done. He wants clarification about the uses of the "festival lawn," which is the landscaped area near the concession building.
Harper said there are organizations spreading the message right through the city that the festival lawn can't be used for festivals. He asked staff to clarify the issue.
An Oct. 1 staff report states that consultation being done for the "Pier into the Future" strategy is being funded using existing city resources, and $150,000 of capital funding for the interim development has been included in the 2012 financial plan. Some of those funds may be needed to do a structural assessment of the existing wooden pier.
Gibson said that would include an analysis of all the timbers and piles under the asphalt deck. Because the city hasn't put out a request for proposals about the assessment of the existing pier, Gibson said it's unknown how much it would cost but he suspects there would still be a "considerable" amount of the $150,000 left for "modest improvements."
According to the staff report, detailed planning and development of the Timber Wharf portion of the park will be done when funding becomes available. Until then, the city is encouraging community members to comment on potential uses for the Timber Wharf located between the festival lawn (the park's large green space) and the eastern boundary of the Westminster Pier Park property.
Anyone wanting to provide input on the Timber Wharf can complete an online survey on the city's website (www.newwestcity. ca) until Oct. 13. Paper surveys are available at a number of locations in the city including recreation facilities, a kiosk at Westminster Pier Park, the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association office, Tourism New Westminster, River Market, and Fraser River Discovery Centre, and were available at the New Westminster parks, culture and recreation table at RiverFest on Sept. 29.
Everyone who completes a survey will have their name entered into a draw for chance to win a Picnic in the Park for 12 that will be catered by River Market restaurants.
In addition to the survey, the city is holding a community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 11 and a follow-up meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the survey results and identify priority opportunities that best meet the needs of the community as a whole.
If you're planning to attend the meetings, register by calling 604-527-4567.
