Construction set to begin on new public parks in southeast Vancouver
More public spaces will soon be added to the growing East Fraser Lands neighbourhood, also known as River District, in the southeast corner of Vancouver.
During a meeting on Tuesday, Vancouver Park Board commissioners approved a request to have staff manage the contract award for North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park — at the west side of the intersection of East Kent Avenue North and Kinross Street. This will avoid potential project delays and cost escalation due to the summer break.
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Staff did not publicly share the estimated construction contract value to “ensure competitive pricing is received,” but they noted that the Park Board’s procurement policy typically requires contracts worth $500,000 or over to be approved by commissioners, and a bid committee approval for contracts worth over $750,000. Concept plans were approved by commissioners in 2017, and the construction is funded by the 2020 capital budget.
Site of North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park in southeast Vancouver (River District). (Vancouver Park Board)
The design for both parks, located adjacent to each other, is currently in the final detailed design process, and construction is scheduled to begin this summer for a completion late in the fall.
North Kinross Park will feature a naturalized forest corridor, rain gardens, and low native planting to create “habitat connections” with Kinross Ravine Park to the north.
To the south, Middle Kinross Park entails a flexible plaza, new pathways and seating, and rain gardens with lush native plantings.
Both parks have a combined total area of 0.6 acres.
Artistic rendering of North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park in southeast Vancouver (River District). (Vancouver Park Board)
Artistic rendering of North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park in southeast Vancouver (River District). (Vancouver Park Board)
These parks were originally slated to be built concurrently with South Kinross Park and Foreshore Park, which will offer a combined total of seven acres of green space along the Fraser River. However, this has been delayed as the neighbourhood’s private developer still needs to work on the sensitive river shoreline habitats that have limited allowable construction seasons.
Provincial environmental approvals were not granted in time for construction in 2020. Instead, shoreline work will be conducted in 2021, with park construction beginning shortly after as well.
The municipal government has plans to create 25 acres of public parks and open spaces within the East Fraserlands to support the amenity needs of the neighbourhood’s eventual population of up to 15,000 people.
Artistic rendering of North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park in southeast Vancouver (River District). (Vancouver Park Board)
Artistic rendering of North Kinross Park and Middle Kinross Park in southeast Vancouver (River District). (Vancouver Park Board)
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