Ambleside Waterfront Park Implementation Project

Update – December 21, 2023

West Vancouver is one step closer to its new waterfront park!

As part of the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan, the house at 1448 Argyle Avenue is being removed to create more park space and improved access to the waterfront.

Part of this plan is the removal of the District-owned house at 1448 Argyle Avenue for the creation of Brissenden Waterfront Park. This will be part of the continuous green space and dedicated park that will extend between Ambleside Park and John Lawson Park. The new green space is anticipated to open to the public by late spring 2024.

When complete, the waterfront parks from Ambleside to John Lawson will provide public access to the ocean, green space, heritage, cultural activities and festivals, garden plots, and a continuous foreshore path which will be accessible for everyone, including people with mobility challenges.

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access to the waterfront since the mid-1950s. The District bought and removed cottages and houses to create Ambleside Park and then, in the 1970s, began buying properties along Argyle Avenue between 13th Street and 18th Street.

In 2016, after an extensive community consultation process, Council endorsed the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan. The plan includes something for everyone to enjoy—more green spaces and public waterfront access, multi-use plazas, improvements to community facilities, and much more. This work is planned to take place in phases over several years.


Update – January 24, 2023

West Vancouver is one step closer to its new waterfront park!

The District has entered into an agreement to purchase the property at 1448 Argyle Avenue for the creation of Brissenden Waterfront Park. This will be part of the continuous green space and dedicated park that will extend between Ambleside Park and John Lawson Park.

With this acquisition, 31 of 32 properties have been purchased by the municipality, with the District taking possession of this property in August 2023.

When complete, the waterfront parks from Ambleside to John Lawson will provide public access to the ocean, green space, heritage, cultural activities and festivals, garden plots, and a continuous foreshore path which will be accessible for everyone, including people with mobility challenges.


Update - February 5, 2021

More waterfront park space coming soon to Ambleside!

As part of the Ambleside Waterfront Plan, the structure at 1466 Argyle Avenue has been removed to create more park space and improved access to the waterfront.

Work will continue in upcoming weeks on the waterfront to prepare the area as a park for public use. Crews will start by removing two old concrete pads located on the waterfront to the east of Millennium Park. After these pads have been removed, work will begin to fill and grade the area and seed the area with grass. Work is scheduled to start on Tuesday, February 16 and is estimated to take approximately six weeks to complete.

Fencing will surround the construction area to keep the work contained and for public safety. There will be a short period of disruption to the pathway leading through Argyle Gardens during this time.

The newly seeded grass will be fenced off until the grass is established in May 2021.

This will extend Millennium Park and allow for better access to the adjacent community garden.


Update - November 2, 2020

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access.

Part of this plan is the removal of the District-owned house at 1466 Argyle Avenue. This will extend Millennium Park and allow for better access to the adjacent community garden. The new park area is anticipated to open to the public in spring 2021.

Background

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access to the waterfront since the mid-1950s. The District bought and removed cottages and houses to create Ambleside Park and then, in the 1970s, began buying properties along Argyle Avenue between 13th Street and 18th Street.

After an extensive community consultation process, and building on four decades of work from the community, previous Councils and staff, the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan(External link) was endorsed by Council on Monday, June 13, 2016. Since then, consultants have been working with Parks staff, stakeholders and advisory groups to refine and develop the park plan. The plan includes something for everyone to enjoy—more green spaces and public waterfront access, multi-use plazas, improvements to community facilities, and much more. This work is planned to begin in phases over the next several years.

Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.


About the project

By balancing community interests and priorities, the plan expresses a cohesive vision that ensures something for everyone, more green and open spaces, and multi-use plaza spaces and infrastructure to provide for the community to enjoy the waterfront for what it is–one of the jewels of West Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

This project will be built in sections and will likely take several years to realize.

We're excited to share the next phase of what's to come on the waterfront in the Ambleside area.

Report to Council | September 2019

Parks staff presented the Ambleside Waterfront Plan - Final Design Detail report to Council on Monday, September 9, 2019.

The report strives to visually present the aesthetic look of the future Ambleside Waterfront Park when it is completed in its entirety.

The following was also presented to Council on September 9, 2019.

Presentation: Ambleside Waterfront Plan

Update – December 21, 2023

West Vancouver is one step closer to its new waterfront park!

As part of the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan, the house at 1448 Argyle Avenue is being removed to create more park space and improved access to the waterfront.

Part of this plan is the removal of the District-owned house at 1448 Argyle Avenue for the creation of Brissenden Waterfront Park. This will be part of the continuous green space and dedicated park that will extend between Ambleside Park and John Lawson Park. The new green space is anticipated to open to the public by late spring 2024.

When complete, the waterfront parks from Ambleside to John Lawson will provide public access to the ocean, green space, heritage, cultural activities and festivals, garden plots, and a continuous foreshore path which will be accessible for everyone, including people with mobility challenges.

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access to the waterfront since the mid-1950s. The District bought and removed cottages and houses to create Ambleside Park and then, in the 1970s, began buying properties along Argyle Avenue between 13th Street and 18th Street.

In 2016, after an extensive community consultation process, Council endorsed the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan. The plan includes something for everyone to enjoy—more green spaces and public waterfront access, multi-use plazas, improvements to community facilities, and much more. This work is planned to take place in phases over several years.


Update – January 24, 2023

West Vancouver is one step closer to its new waterfront park!

The District has entered into an agreement to purchase the property at 1448 Argyle Avenue for the creation of Brissenden Waterfront Park. This will be part of the continuous green space and dedicated park that will extend between Ambleside Park and John Lawson Park.

With this acquisition, 31 of 32 properties have been purchased by the municipality, with the District taking possession of this property in August 2023.

When complete, the waterfront parks from Ambleside to John Lawson will provide public access to the ocean, green space, heritage, cultural activities and festivals, garden plots, and a continuous foreshore path which will be accessible for everyone, including people with mobility challenges.


Update - February 5, 2021

More waterfront park space coming soon to Ambleside!

As part of the Ambleside Waterfront Plan, the structure at 1466 Argyle Avenue has been removed to create more park space and improved access to the waterfront.

Work will continue in upcoming weeks on the waterfront to prepare the area as a park for public use. Crews will start by removing two old concrete pads located on the waterfront to the east of Millennium Park. After these pads have been removed, work will begin to fill and grade the area and seed the area with grass. Work is scheduled to start on Tuesday, February 16 and is estimated to take approximately six weeks to complete.

Fencing will surround the construction area to keep the work contained and for public safety. There will be a short period of disruption to the pathway leading through Argyle Gardens during this time.

The newly seeded grass will be fenced off until the grass is established in May 2021.

This will extend Millennium Park and allow for better access to the adjacent community garden.


Update - November 2, 2020

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access.

Part of this plan is the removal of the District-owned house at 1466 Argyle Avenue. This will extend Millennium Park and allow for better access to the adjacent community garden. The new park area is anticipated to open to the public in spring 2021.

Background

The District of West Vancouver has been working to create open park space and public access to the waterfront since the mid-1950s. The District bought and removed cottages and houses to create Ambleside Park and then, in the 1970s, began buying properties along Argyle Avenue between 13th Street and 18th Street.

After an extensive community consultation process, and building on four decades of work from the community, previous Councils and staff, the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan(External link) was endorsed by Council on Monday, June 13, 2016. Since then, consultants have been working with Parks staff, stakeholders and advisory groups to refine and develop the park plan. The plan includes something for everyone to enjoy—more green spaces and public waterfront access, multi-use plazas, improvements to community facilities, and much more. This work is planned to begin in phases over the next several years.

Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.


About the project

By balancing community interests and priorities, the plan expresses a cohesive vision that ensures something for everyone, more green and open spaces, and multi-use plaza spaces and infrastructure to provide for the community to enjoy the waterfront for what it is–one of the jewels of West Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

This project will be built in sections and will likely take several years to realize.

We're excited to share the next phase of what's to come on the waterfront in the Ambleside area.

Report to Council | September 2019

Parks staff presented the Ambleside Waterfront Plan - Final Design Detail report to Council on Monday, September 9, 2019.

The report strives to visually present the aesthetic look of the future Ambleside Waterfront Park when it is completed in its entirety.

The following was also presented to Council on September 9, 2019.

Presentation: Ambleside Waterfront Plan

The Q&A form is closed. Please contact staff directly by email or phone if you have questions about this project. Contact details for Ian Haras, Parks Planning & Development Manager, are provided in the top portion of this webpage.

  • Regarding your response below, I am requesting specific information about how and when specifically input from the community about Ambleside Park will be requested and gathered next? 'Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.

    vihughes asked over 3 years ago

    Dates and questions are not prepared at this time. Please feel free to call the Parks Planning & Development Manager, Ian Haras, at 604-925-7143 if you have specific questions.

  • What specific plans are there for more community input regarding Ambleside Park? On site meetings? dates, etc.?

    vihughes asked over 3 years ago

    After an extensive community consultation process, and building on four decades of work from the community, previous Councils and staff, the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan was endorsed by Council on Monday, June 13, 2016. Since then, consultants have been working with Parks staff, stakeholders, and advisory groups to refine and develop the park plan.

    Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.

  • When will the washrooms on the beach be repaired, repainted etc. ??

    Bob77 asked almost 5 years ago

    For questions about general park maintenance, please call the Parks enquiries line at 604-925-7275.

  • What is the dollar amount approved by Council for this Implementation project and when was it approved?

    Bob77 asked almost 5 years ago

    A budget for the implementation of the Ambleside Waterfront Project has not been set yet. District staff are currently working on the final conceptual drawings along with the phasing and a costing budget that will allow staff to determine a budget for the first phase of the project. The requested budget will then be subject to Council's approval.

  • I hope we will not have to wait for the implementation of this plan to get lighting on the seawall between 18th and 15th streets!

    JS asked over 5 years ago

    Any park and pathway lighting will be implemented during the construction of that phase of park.

  • When will an accessible boat launch be available in west Vancouver? Our kids can no longer sail at ambleside since there is no way to get the dinghy into the water with or without a vehicle.

    Oxley asked over 5 years ago

    The non-motorized boat launch just east of the sailing club is still available for use, however motorized vehicles are not permitted to drive to this location. People are encourage to drop off their dingy and trailer and walk them to the boat ramp.

  • What part does a new boat launch play in the plan.

    dixong asked about 5 years ago

    A new boat launch is not part of the plan for Ambleside Waterfront Park (13th–18th Street), however, this opportunity will be explored during the Ambleside Park Master Plan (East of 13th Street) process.

  • Why does council refuse to allow additional benches on the Ambleside doggie walk? The number of benches has not changed in 40 years even though the population of West Vancouver has tripled. Many seniors use this walk and during the summer months all the benches are always full.

    McBoingboing asked about 5 years ago

    The Ambleside Waterfront Park plan will review seating opportunities along the entire stretch and attempt to balance seating opportunities with other park programming opportunities.

  • How will the anticipated and unanticipated impacts of climate change affect the risk management of this project? What assumptions are given to sea-level rise, and what mitigations are being pursued? What are the projected potential financial liabilities as it relates to climate change?

    durutticolumn asked about 5 years ago

    The District has been slowly removing the old armoured residential seawalls in favour of a more naturalized foreshore to aid in wave attenuation, reduce erosion and enhance habitat. The park may also function as an infiltration and detention area during high tide events after the sea level rise.

    The Coastal Marine Management Plan Working Group is developing policy recommendations on the management of our coast. Learn more: https://westvancouver.ca/be-involved/committees-groups/working-groups/coastal-marine-management-plan-working-group

  • While I welcome improvements why build and plant more when you cannot maintain properly our existing parks?

    Politics asked over 5 years ago

    Improving the Ambleside waterfront has been a priority of Council for many years. The current plan reflects what we heard from the community and was adopted in June 2016. While Ambleside is a signature waterfront park area, West Vancouver has more parks per capita than many other municipalities. It’s often noted that the abundance of parks and green space is one of the reasons people choose to live here. If you are aware of a park that requires attention, please contact us at 604-925-7275.

Page last updated: 21 Dec 2023, 09:37 AM