New Westminster city councillors voted to approve a one-year pilot project to help revitalize Westminster Pier Park Monday.
A council report says the initiative, which includes increasing standards of maintenance and launching park liaison officers, will “address challenging behaviours and acts of vandalism that are impacting perceptions of public safety” in the park.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The report says between 2024 and 2025, the city has covered over $300,000 in damages to washrooms and playground equipment.
The proposed “Activation and Community Re-Engagement” for Westminster Pier Park would cost an estimated $71,500 for park events, $30,000 for grounds maintenance, and $318,000 to employ park liaison officers and security.
Meanwhile, it says the park stands apart from the city’s broader Crises Response Pilot Project to address homelessness, substance use, and mental health.
“Westminster Pier Park are not directly linked to these crises and require a distinct, focused response to better support the public’s attendance and ongoing enjoyment of the park.”
Coun. Daniel Fontaine says damaged or unusable park space has an impact on local families.
“We have very few green spaces, very few public playgrounds for kids and families in the second-most dense city in all of Canada. And when we lose our Pier Park like this, it’s incredibly unfortunate,” said Fontaine.
He says he’s supportive of the proposal, but has some concerns about how it’s efficacy would be measured after the term of the pilot.
Council voted to approve the project Monday night.
—With files from Sonia Aslam