Six misting stations installed in New West – and more coming in 2023

Fifteen misting stations will be installed at locations around New West to help folks stay hydrated and cool during hot weather.

In recent weeks, the City of New Westminster installed blue misting stations at Hyack Square (two), Library Square, Westminster Pier Park (two) and Thompson’s Landing Park in Queensborough. The posts, which arrived later than the city expected, feature a mister and a bottle filler.

“Many cities are introducing seasonal misting stations in the public realm as an immediate and easy way for people and pets to cool down in extreme heat,” said Erika Mashig, the city’s manager of parks and open space planning, design and construction.

Mashig said these preliminary locations were selected to pilot the misters in 2022. She said they were installed in public realm locations with: high urban heat island effect and low access to shade/water; high use by pedestrians, including vulnerable populations; and close proximity to a water service.

Mashig noted the city’s emergency management office, in collaboration with other city departments and community organizations, continues to develop and implement mitigation strategies and initiatives designed for heat response within the city.

“This includes developing information for residents indicating where to ‘cool off’ which includes locations for indoor cooling centres, water stations, outdoor pools, misting stations and spray parks, as well as green infrastructure (i.e. parks and natural areas with mature trees/forested areas that create cool shade),” she said.

The misting stations will operate annually from May to September, but that timeline could be extended, pending warm weather.

“The misting posts include bottle fillers, so we anticipate use into the late September/early October shoulder season,” Mashig said.

According to Mashig, the city has purchased 15 misters in total; six have been installed in 2022 and nine will be installed prior to summer 2023.

“Through the introduction of the pilot misting stations and conversations with member of the public, staff will seek better understanding of priority areas for additional cooling infrastructure in each of the city’s neighbourhoods,” she said.

Mashig said parks staff will be visiting the six pilot mister locations to collect feedback from the public.

More information and opportunities for feedback will be available through the Beheardnewwest.ca platform starting in April 2023.