The City of Vancouver has purchased a lot and built a neighbourhood park on it, also opening nearby Yukon St. to safe travel by people on foot, bike, stroller and so on. Located at the NE corner of the intersection of 17th Ave and Yukon St.
In many ways, this park reminds me of the way West End traffic calming opened up streets from car thoroughfares into people places. Also very much like Jim Deva Plaza, but different in terms of design and surface treatment. Note the playground, the planters that incorporate benches, the chairs and the big rocks for kids to climb on.
Click any photo to see large versions.
Good design of the entrance to the bike path. It prevents entry by cars without using bollards (hazardous to cyclists). I’ll send the photo to North Shore municipalities.
A delightful little space. The city purchased one lot on the NE corner of the intersection for this park, but then proceeded to utilize the road allowance in the design too. Ingenious!
This same idea was used on Ontario x 11th, so it’s not a precedence. However, Yukon was paradise for ratrunning cars avoiding adjacent Cambie, so the locals must be very happy with the closure to motorized vehicles. The calming effect extends from 16th Ave all the way to King Edward.
This is another very creative solution by the city where a tiny amount of the vast road network can be repurposed for great effect with very high community benefits. I hope this model is used in many other locations.
I also hope other cities in the Metro are paying attention.
To those on bikes or foot wanting to check this pocket park out, you can also stop for a coffee at The Mighty Oak on 18th x Columbia, another delightful but hidden away attribute in Riley Park.
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/82/38/3f/exterior-of-the-mighty.jpg
http://www.themightyoak.ca/index.html
Cool, I’ll check it out. I wouldn’t have otherwise known that place was there!
The Park Board is asking for suggestions for the name of this new park.
http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/park-board-officially-opens-citys-newest-park-and-asks-residents-to-help-name-it.aspx