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