Horseshoe Bay Park is a scenic one-hectare on the western tip of West Vancouver and at the entrance to Howe Sound.
The park is bordered by Sewell's Marina and the public pier to the north, the community of Horseshoe Bay to the south and west, and the BC Ferries terminal to the east.
A high number of tourists and ferry users come through the park in the summer; local residents use it year-round.
The existing park has gone through several piecemeal upgrades over the years and currently consists of:
- washroom building
- playground
- a small water play area
- plaza area with decorative fountain
- walking paths
- boat ramp
- seating areas
- pier with short-term boat moorage
- Metro Vancouver sewer lift station
November 2017–January 2018
Phase 1 public consultation: Share your ideas
February–November 2018
- Review of public feedback
- Creation of park concept plan. The design captures ideas you shared with us at the last public meeting (in 2017) and in the previous survey (in January 2018).
December 2018–January 2019
Phase 2 public consultation: Parks concept design
Spring 2019
January–February 2019
- Refine plan based on comments
Winter 2020
- Complete working drawings and obtain permits
Summer 2021 to summer 2023
Archaeology
The Horseshoe Bay Park site is identified as an area of archaeological significance; it has a subsurface shell midden (a large quantity of shell debris left by human populations on their habitation and processing sites) and has been associated with a seasonal fishing village. The site is listed in the Province of BC's inventory of archaeological sites and historic places and is protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. The District of West Vancouver has obtained an archaeology permit in conjunction with the park restoration work.
Archaeology excavation is required by the archaeology permit, which has been happening in tandem with the park construction. First Nations and an archaeologist are monitoring the site. Many of the excavations required for the park construction were initially dug by hand instead of using machines. The hand digging process early in construction was slow, but the project is expected to be completed on time.
Representatives of the First Nations are on the site daily and have given permission to commence with machine excavation and continue to provide guidance, along with an archaeological consultant on-site, in the event any artifacts are discovered.
Temporary retaining wall
Phase 1 of the Horseshoe Bay Park Revitalization Project is bordered on the east by a temporary retaining wall that runs on the west side of the propellor plaza. This temporary retaining wall will allow Metro Vancouver's upcoming pump station replacement project to occur without undoing new park work. Metro Vancouver anticipates the replacement project to begin in 2024 and take approximately one year to complete.
Phase 2 of the Horseshoe Bay Park Reviltazation will take place after Metro Vancouver has completed the pump station replacement and will include the area east of the temporary retaining wall to the east park adjacent to the BC Ferries terminal.
Phase 1 work began in mid-February, 2022, and will take approximately one year to complete.
Temporary no-parking signs will be posted in two of the angle parking stalls on the north side of Bay Street, adjacent to the washroom building to allow construction access and egress to the park. If there are anticipated parking or traffic impacts related to the project, every effort will be made to provide notice through this project page.
All work will comply with fisheries and archeological permits and is anticipated to take approximately one year to complete.
Highlights of the proposed park improvements:
- Continuous waterfront path
- Improved park lighting
- Better access to beach and water
- Picnic shelter
- Large open lawn
- More seating opportunities
- New playground
- Updated public washroom, featuring a design inspired by coastal shed buildings and our native salmon
Construction Map
Council Presentation
The Horseshoe Bay Park Advisory Group was created in June 2017 after a public call for volunteers was advertised seeking three to five members with a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and interests.
The objective of creating the Advisory Group was to tap into the expertise of residents who would like to volunteer to serve on an Advisory Group which will assist District staff with the public engagement and design of the new park.
Meetings were held during the last six months of 2017.
