New False Creek pathway opens south of Science World, ending detour | Daily Hive

New False Creek pathway opens between Science World and Olympic Village, ending detour

New semi-permanent pathway for pedestrians and cyclists at Southeast False Creek between Science World and Olympic Village, as of May 23, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

After four months of lengthy detours to surrounding streets, a new semi-permanent pathway of the Seaside Greenway in Southeast False Creek has opened for pedestrians and cyclists.

The decades-old pathway that previously hugged the water’s edge, built on an elevated deck over the water for the Expo ’86 World’s Fair, suddenly permanently closed and was fenced off in early February 2025, when the City of Vancouver deemed it to be unsafe due to its age and deterioration.

The new temporary pathway is expected to remain in place for years, until a permanent design is built for the area’s new park and integrated pathways, including the continuous Seaside Greenway.

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This semi-permanent pathway, built on what previously a grassy area adjacent to the old pathway, is made of compacted gravel for the north-south segment just south of Science World. For the east-west segment leading to the Olympic Village neighbourhood, the pathway surface is made of asphalt.

Concrete dividers, delineators, and signage separate the wide pedestrian and cycling pathways. Construction on this pathway first began in early April 2025.

southeast false creek new pathway vancouver may 23 2025

New semi-permanent pathway for pedestrians and cyclists at Southeast False Creek between Science World and Olympic Village, as of May 23, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

“Our goal was to create a safe path that brings Seawall and Seaside Greenway users closer to the water. Given that the equipment required to lay asphalt exceeded the safe weight limits for the deck, compacted gravel was chosen as the best material for a portion of the path,” said Lon LaClaire, general manager of engineering services for the City of Vancouver, in a statement today.

Mayor Ken Sim added, “The Seawall is beloved by Vancouverites, and I am thrilled to see this new path open just in time for summer. A big thank you to the hardworking crews who got it done safely and quickly, and to everyone who patiently used the detours over the past few months.”

New semi-permanent pathway for pedestrians and cyclists at Southeast False Creek between Science World and Olympic Village, as of May 23, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Built in 1984, these Expo decks — comprised of concrete slabs that sit on top of creosote timber piles — were intended to be temporary. Most of the other Expo deck areas on the former fairgrounds site around False Creek have been demolished over the years from the area’s redevelopment.

Prior to the decision earlier this year to close and fence off the Expo decks, the municipal government had already planned to permanently close and demolish the structure starting in 2028, as part of a new design for a permanent waterfront park in the area. In November 2024, the Vancouver Park Board approved the design for the future Olympic Village park space located south of the existing pathway, while the design for the northern section — closest to the water — remains to be determined.

However, preliminary design concepts presented by the Park Board have stirred controversy, as they propose not rebuilding the Expo decks. Instead, the plans favour creating a wetland area, which would relocate the future permanent pathway further inland and away from the water’s edge.

For decades, the Expo decks have been a beloved public space for taking in the iconic view of downtown Vancouver, featuring landmarks such as Science World and BC Place Stadium, along with sweeping waterfront vistas. Not only does the area see high volumes of pedestrians and cyclists, but the expansive hard-surfaced area has also played an increasingly important role in accommodating major public events in the area.

Before the end of Spring 2025, extensive repairs on the Jericho Pier in West Point Grey are expected to reach completion, enabling a reopening of the popular pier following a years-long closure due to storm damage.

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South deck from Expo ’86 next to Science World. (Google Maps)

The closed segment of the seawall on the Expo decks south of Science World. (City of Vancouver)

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Condition of the Expo-era deck and piles next to Science World. (City of Vancouver)

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BC Place Stadium and Science World from the Expo decks in Southeast False Creek. (Engel Ching/Shutterstock)

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