New Sunset Park redesign to include buried stream feature, skatepark, community garden.

Design Concept for Sunset Park

On November 16, the Park Board, approved a plan to upgrade Sunset Park. This is an exciting move, and a much-needed investment in the popular greenspace. A total of $3million was allocated for the project.

The 3.4 hectare park is located on Main Street, between 51st and 53rd. The site is adjacent to John Henderson Elementary School, and includes the striking Bing Thom designed Sunset Community Centre, a Park Board Operations site, an ice rink, a nursery, an off-leash dog park and a playground.

In order to make the array of onsite facilities more cohesive, the latest version of the design introduced an excellent array of new amenities – a program that appears to be much supported by the community. New features include: a new playground, a community garden (something the VPSN was advocating for on this site a number of years ago), a naturalized area that will reference a buried stream via a swale, rain garden, and seating and picnic area.

Also proposed are 160 new trees, a small skate park, and a naturalized forest. The additions to the park will be supported through the installation of more pathways and on-site connections. The new concept would also see the trial closure of Prince Edward Avenue – a move that could be made permanent if it proves successful.

Our only quibble with this exciting redesign? We’d like to see a few more all-weather (rain-proof) features to ensure that the park can be well-utilized in the winter months.

$700,000 of the funding has been allocated for the project in the 2015-2018 Capital Plan, and additional funds will be sought from the 2017 budget with construction dates projected in 2017.

The overall design will improve this popular park and is an excellent use of the space. The VPSN commends the Park Board for approving the project.

For a look at the plan, or for more details, read the Master Plan or check out the Nov 16 report presented to the Park Board.

­By Aateka Shashank, with Wendee Lang