A new green space is set to bloom where old warehouses once stood, as the Vancouver Park Board moves ahead with plans to create a one-hectare neighbourhood park at the edge of Kitsilano and Fairview.
The future Burrard Slopes Park will span an entire city block between West 5th and West 6th avenues and between Fir and Pine streets, replacing vacant light-industrial buildings near the base of the Fir Street off-ramp of the Granville Bridge.
The park project incorporates existing spaces including 6th and Fir Park, the 5th and Pine Pop-up Park, and a section of the Arbutus Greenway. It also includes the removal of three empty buildings at 1620, 1630, and 1670 West 5th Avenue, which have been deemed unsuitable for repurposing.
Demolition is expected to begin this spring and take 10 to 13 months to complete. The Vancouver Park Board notes that efforts will be made to reuse building materials in alignment with the City’s Green Demolition by-law and Zero Waste 2040 goals.
To prepare the site for future landscaping, a temporary wildflower meadow will be planted once the buildings are removed, helping remediate the soil while adding a splash of natural beauty to the area.
During demolition, the main block of the site will be closed, but other amenities in the area are expected to remain accessible for most of the work.
The Park Board is currently seeking public input on the draft plan for Burrard Slopes Park. Residents can share their thoughts and ideas to help shape what the future park will look like.
Last modified: April 10, 2025
