John Lawson Park Playground Upgrade Underway

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

John Lawson Park playground is under construction but the park is open for play! Pack a picnic and watch the construction from the deck at Lawson Creek Studios. Bring a ball, a kite or some bubbles and play on the grass, or search for treasures on the beach. Construction should be completed by August 2013. While work is underway, other fun places to go and things to do this summer include:

  1. Ambleside beach and playground (Can you spot the swan in Ambleside Pond? Turtles?)
  2. Dundarave beach and playground (Which countries can you name on the Friendship Globe?)
  3. Storytime at West Vancouver Memorial Library 
  4. The Aquatic Centre’s leisure pool, with a running river and a water slide!
  5. Ride ‘n Slide Playzone at the Arena (July 3 – August 9)
  6. West Vancouver Community Centre...bring a ball to kick around on the great lawn, cool your toes in the fountain
  7. Lighthouse Park, Whytecliff Park, and Cypress Falls Park offer forests full of enchanting old trees and ferns, and more
  8. Memorial Park salmon pond...see if you can spot the baby fish
  9. Harmony Arts Festival (August 2-11) is chock-full of children’s activities and entertainment, and it’s all free!
  10. Other playground locations: Ridgeview, Hollyburn, Pauline Johnson and Irwin Park Schools, Whytecliff Park, Horseshoe Bay Park, Parc Verdun, and Glenmore Park

When complete, the new and improved John Lawson playground will be a significant upgrade with its creative concept designed to stimulate learning and play opportunities for both younger and older children. The District’s combined budget for the playground and water play area is $800,000, including community contributions of $169,000 and a contribution of $244,200 provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada, a department of the Government of Canada.

Design Concept

The playground’s design is based on feedback from public consultation in August 2012, and input from the John Lawson Park Planning for Play Idea Group that was created for this project. The resulting concept is inspired by nature and the park’s waterfront location, including a water play area, modern playground equipment and walkways in-and-around the playground.

Project Funding

A combined total of $800,000 will fund improvements to John Lawson Park playground.  On December 17, 2012, there was a formal announcement by MP John Weston at John Lawson Park for playground improvements, for funding in the amount of $244,200 provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada.  Council approved a further project for a splash pad/ children’s water play area in the 2013 Budget.

Background

John Lawson Park is one of West Vancouver’s most-loved parks. Located at the base of 17th Street on the shore of Burrard Inlet, it offers a variety of amenities for families. The new playground will be a safe, stimulating and fun play space for all ages which compliments and enhances the existing park character and setting.

Based on feedback gathered during public consultation in August 2012, the playground will blend natural elements that are representative of the setting together with pre-manufactured and custom equipment and include spaces that are informal and naturalistic to stimulate high quality free play and discovery learning. Spaces will be accessible to all, inspired by nature, provide naturally inspired education opportunities and have creative and unique design concepts specific to the project.

Contact

For more information, email Parks, or call 604-925-7130.