A play area in Westminster Pier Park has won a Parks Excellence Award from a provincial organization.
The British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association has awarded a 2023 Parks Excellence Award to the city for its Sixth Street play area in Westminster Pier Park. The award is in recognition of the playground’s innovative design to support improved connectivity to the riverfront, expanded play program and opportunities for social connections.
“The City of New Westminster’s Sixth Street play area beautifully increases social connection for community health while strengthening the community’s climate resiliency,” Katie Fenn, CEO of BCRPA, said in a news release. “This recipient is well deserved of BCRPA’s Parks Excellence Award for the exceptional contribution and positive impact that the Sixth Street play (area) has for New West residents.”
According to the association, the playground supports the health and well-being of the community through improved connectivity, an expanded play program, and opportunities for social interaction. Through the diverse play opportunities and challenge levels, it stated the play area design supports the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and young people.
“It fulfills a need for families living in New Westminster’s urban core, and provides sheltered seating and games tables to further promote social interaction,” said a BCPRA press release. “The play area also contributes to environmental health and climate resilience by integrating shade and weather protection with native and adaptive trees, increasing urban forest canopy cover and permeable surfaces. The design incorporates rubber surfacing made from recycled tires and locally produced and natural material.”
The Parks Excellence Award is one of seven provincial awards of excellence presented during BCRPA’s recent annual symposium conference in Vancouver.
“The Sixth Street play area is a great example of how recreational amenities and infrastructure can be combined to create a connected public realm, and increase opportunities for healthy living and social activity,” Mayor Patrick Johnstone said in a city news release. “Congratulations to New Westminster’s parks and recreation staff on winning BCRPA’s excellence award.”
A playground was built in this location when Westminster Pier Park first opened in June 2012, but the new award-winning adventure playground was constructed near the west entrance of Westminster Pier Park in 2021. The new playground was required because construction had taken place in this space during Bosa Development’s construction of a pedestrian overpass leading into the park at Sixth Street.
“Integrated into the design of the Sixth Street ramp and overpass, the new linear play area provides a unique recreational experience with the added benefit of sun and rain protection from the ramp above,” said the city’s news release. “The play area also includes native and adaptive trees, resilient play surface made from recycled and natural materials and feature lighting. These features, as well as a variety of seating options, stroller and bike parking space, games tables, and play equipment for a range of ages and abilities combine to create a play area that is dynamic and inclusive.”
The Sixth Street play area is located near the west entrance to Westminster Pier Park, adjacent to a new accessible pedestrian/cyclist overpass and ramp.
“Through public engagement efforts, we were able to create a unique and inclusive new play area that meets the needs and aspirations of the community year-round,” said Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “The Sixth Street play area enriches the riverfront experience, complementing the Westminster Pier Park and future westward park expansion.”
Bosa Developments is currently building the Pier West development on the site west of Westminster Pier Park (between the park and River Market.) The Pier West project at 660 Quayside Dr. will include 53-and 43-storey residential towers, a three-storey commercial building with child-care and retail space, an extension to Westminster Pier Park, a public plaza, surface and underground parking and about two acres of park.
