Coquitlam is moving ahead with detailed design work for a new family-friendly park coming to Burke Mountain next year.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Dec. 15, 2020 – Coquitlam is moving ahead with detailed design work for a new family-friendly park coming to Burke Mountain next year.
Coquitlam staff recently made changes to the concept for the 0.81-hectare (two-acre) Sheffield Park planned near Chandler Street and Sheffield Avenue in the Smiling Creek neighbourhood, following consultation with the public, Council and Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee.
Designed to complement the amenities in nearby Riley Park, Sheffield Park will feature a water play area, washroom, seating and social areas, and separate play areas for children aged two to five years and six to 11 years, as well as a youth area, all of which will be connected by an accessible boomerang-shaped pathway.
Design Responds to Feedback
Close to 300 people provided their opinion on the park concept from August to November through a survey, online information session, phone and email and a physically distanced site meeting with neighbourhood residents. The feedback was largely positive, and issues raised have been addressed through changes such as:
- Integrating the sport court into the youth area and moving it further from neighbouring homes;
- Providing an external power supply in the washroom building for neighbourhood events; and
- Adding a landscaped buffer of trees and shrubs to protect neighbours’ privacy.
The Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee supported the inclusion of a fully accessible main pathway and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play, explore, move and socialize.
Family-friendly Amenities Planned
The park’s planned amenities reflect Smiling Creek’s primary demographic – young families – while taking advantage of the site’s slopes and south-facing views. The detailed design work now under way will refine the plans for features such as:
- The boomerang pathway with seating, panoramic views and opportunities for cardio walking circuits;
- A water play area with in-ground spray heads, a shallow concrete runnel fed by a water bubbler, and manual weirs and features for hands-on play;
- A universal washroom built into the slope near the water play area, with a fully accessible roof-top deck with seating and views down Burke Mountain;
- A play area for children ages two to five with a sand area, water play table and pump, stepping stones and a play den;
- A play area for children ages six to 11 with play structures on the slope and plateau, a disk swing and spinner for group play, and various climbing elements;
- A youth area for ages 12 and up with a basketball hoop, skate spot and terraced seating;
- Gathering spaces and seating areas throughout the park to capture views and for socializing, including a central seating area near the play areas for parent supervision; and
- Decks at the north end of the park with comfortable, colourful furnishings for relaxing and enjoying the views.
Information about the project, including presentation boards showing the design, can be found on the project engagement site at www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/sheffield.
Next Steps for Sheffield Park
The detailed design and budget will be presented to Council for approval in March. Following the project tendering in March and April, construction is anticipated to begin in spring and be completed by the end of 2021.
The project design and construction funding will come from developer contributions and Development Cost Charges associated with development in the neighbourhood.
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Media contact:
Andre Isakov
Park Planning & Design Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3541
aisakov@coquitlam.ca