Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan

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Update March 10, 2022: This week Mayor and Council endorsed the final Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan, and staff were directed to:

  • Invite Squamish Nation to work with the City, in recognition of the park location next to Eslha7an
  • Bring forward names for Council's consideration regarding Kings Mill Park to better reflect the area
  • Thank members of the Kings Mill Walk Master Plan Task Force for their significant contribution to the new park plan

You can review the Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan. With Council’s endorsement, we’re now moving forward and working to create a detailed design for the park. Park closure and construction is scheduled to start in summer 2024.


Update September 9, 2021: Thank you for your interest in the Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan project. Our survey and community discussion forum is now closed.

You can review what we heard from the summer phase of public engagement: KMW Park Master Plan – What We Heard Report Summer 2021.


This spring, we reached out to the community with a draft design concept, vision, and guiding principles for Kings Mill Walk Park. Kings Mill Walk Park is a waterfront park located adjacent to the Harbourside Development in the southwestern section of the City. Improvements to the park are required as part of the Harbourside Development, and our design goal is to create a space that serves both current and future residents.


What We Heard

During the spring engagement, we heard from many community members, received input on the proposed design concept, and learned what’s most important to you. After reviewing all the feedback received, we've revised the proposed design concept for Kings Mill Walk to better meet the needs of the community,

Based off of what we heard during the spring, we've identified four re-occurring questions that the community asked. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more and view our answers.


Revised Design

In response to community and stakeholder feedback, we've:

  • More than doubled the proposed off-leash dog area from 750 square metres to 1,600 square metres.
  • Updated the All Ages Play Zone with parkour and adult fitness stations.
  • Relocated the washroom facilities to a central location between the off-leash and play area.
  • Planted buffer and more space between off-leash and play area.
  • Added a lawn area at the top of the bank and covered picnic shelters.
  • Added a volleyball court on the west side of the park.

The revised concept design and renderings are shown below. We’ve also summarized feedback from Phase 1 into five main themes. Under each theme, we’ve identified what we heard from you, and how that feedback has been reflected in the design revisions.

click to view larger


What We Heard:

  • Balance habitat enhancement with other park activities (e.g. walking opportunities, passive open space, places to sit, picnic).
  • Maximize useable park space for the existing park users and the new residents that will be moving to this area.
  • Enhance access to the water.


How We're Responding:

  • Creating clearly defined habitat protected zones, access points, and people zones.
  • Providing compatible park activities adjacent to habitat areas.
  • Ensuring new plants and trees will be added to provide shelter and food for birds and animals.
  • The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority manages the water directly in front of the park, which is not intended for public access. Learn more in our questions about shore and water.

click to view larger

What We Heard:

  • We like that the existing dog area has accessible paths, fencing, seating, and access to water.
  • Incorporate nature into the off-leash dog area.
  • The proposed off-leash dog area is too small.
  • Create additional off-leash areas in other locations in the City.


How We're Responding:

  • Increasing the proposed size of the off-leash dog area to more than double, from 750 square metres to 1,600 square metres.
  • Creating separated fenced spaces for shy/small dogs.
  • Providing amenities to improve the experience and enjoyment of the off-leash area.
  • Providing accessible and flat paved walking paths.
  • Adding more trees and buffers to create a natural feeling space.
  • Commencing a City of North Vancouver Dog Strategy later this year.

Give your feedback on the proposed off-leash dog area amenities.

View of off-leash dog area and viewing deck.

What We Heard:

  • Space is needed for benches, picnic tables, and lawn.
  • People enjoy parking along Harbourside Place.
  • Too many activities included in the plan - flexible space is important.


How We're Responding:

  • Adding covered seating and park picnic shelters.
  • Creating lawn areas at the top of the bank.
  • Providing a temporary parking lot near the proposed off-leash dog area. In the future, parking for park visitors will be available along Harbourside Place, and underground within the Harbourside Development.
View of beach volleyball court, intertidal wetlands and the Spirit Trail pedestrian path.

What We Heard:

  • Create more space dedicated to active use, including for adults.
  • Concern over removal of volleyball courts.
  • Separate the children's play area from the off-leash dog area.
  • Washrooms are essential and must be accessible.
  • Integrate nature into the plaza area.


How We're Responding:

  • Integrating one volleyball court into the west side of the park.
  • Adding fitness equipment and parkour to create an 'All Ages Play Zone'.
  • Increasing the buffer between the children's play area and the off-leash dog area by using plants, pathways, and the washroom building.

Give your feedback on the proposed park amenities.

View of the All Ages Activity Zone, including a children's playground, parkour course, and all ages fitness station.

What We Heard:

  • Keep trails inclusive and accessible.
  • Existing trails and paths are congested.
  • Support for separating cyclists from pedestrians for safety.


How We're Responding:

  • Ensuring all trails and pathways are accessible.
  • Implementing speed control and way-finding measures on East and West ends of the site to reduce conflict and congestion on the Spirit Trail.
  • Permitting on-leash dogs throughout the park. This includes the accessible pathways and lawn areas.
  • Creating a separated bike lane on Harbourside Drive.
  • Separating cyclists from pedestrians on all pathways along the busy shoreline.
click to view larger


Update March 10, 2022: This week Mayor and Council endorsed the final Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan, and staff were directed to:

  • Invite Squamish Nation to work with the City, in recognition of the park location next to Eslha7an
  • Bring forward names for Council's consideration regarding Kings Mill Park to better reflect the area
  • Thank members of the Kings Mill Walk Master Plan Task Force for their significant contribution to the new park plan

You can review the Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan. With Council’s endorsement, we’re now moving forward and working to create a detailed design for the park. Park closure and construction is scheduled to start in summer 2024.


Update September 9, 2021: Thank you for your interest in the Kings Mill Walk Park Master Plan project. Our survey and community discussion forum is now closed.

You can review what we heard from the summer phase of public engagement: KMW Park Master Plan – What We Heard Report Summer 2021.


This spring, we reached out to the community with a draft design concept, vision, and guiding principles for Kings Mill Walk Park. Kings Mill Walk Park is a waterfront park located adjacent to the Harbourside Development in the southwestern section of the City. Improvements to the park are required as part of the Harbourside Development, and our design goal is to create a space that serves both current and future residents.


What We Heard

During the spring engagement, we heard from many community members, received input on the proposed design concept, and learned what’s most important to you. After reviewing all the feedback received, we've revised the proposed design concept for Kings Mill Walk to better meet the needs of the community,

Based off of what we heard during the spring, we've identified four re-occurring questions that the community asked. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more and view our answers.


Revised Design

In response to community and stakeholder feedback, we've:

  • More than doubled the proposed off-leash dog area from 750 square metres to 1,600 square metres.
  • Updated the All Ages Play Zone with parkour and adult fitness stations.
  • Relocated the washroom facilities to a central location between the off-leash and play area.
  • Planted buffer and more space between off-leash and play area.
  • Added a lawn area at the top of the bank and covered picnic shelters.
  • Added a volleyball court on the west side of the park.

The revised concept design and renderings are shown below. We’ve also summarized feedback from Phase 1 into five main themes. Under each theme, we’ve identified what we heard from you, and how that feedback has been reflected in the design revisions.

click to view larger


What We Heard:

  • Balance habitat enhancement with other park activities (e.g. walking opportunities, passive open space, places to sit, picnic).
  • Maximize useable park space for the existing park users and the new residents that will be moving to this area.
  • Enhance access to the water.


How We're Responding:

  • Creating clearly defined habitat protected zones, access points, and people zones.
  • Providing compatible park activities adjacent to habitat areas.
  • Ensuring new plants and trees will be added to provide shelter and food for birds and animals.
  • The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority manages the water directly in front of the park, which is not intended for public access. Learn more in our questions about shore and water.

click to view larger

What We Heard:

  • We like that the existing dog area has accessible paths, fencing, seating, and access to water.
  • Incorporate nature into the off-leash dog area.
  • The proposed off-leash dog area is too small.
  • Create additional off-leash areas in other locations in the City.


How We're Responding:

  • Increasing the proposed size of the off-leash dog area to more than double, from 750 square metres to 1,600 square metres.
  • Creating separated fenced spaces for shy/small dogs.
  • Providing amenities to improve the experience and enjoyment of the off-leash area.
  • Providing accessible and flat paved walking paths.
  • Adding more trees and buffers to create a natural feeling space.
  • Commencing a City of North Vancouver Dog Strategy later this year.

Give your feedback on the proposed off-leash dog area amenities.

View of off-leash dog area and viewing deck.

What We Heard:

  • Space is needed for benches, picnic tables, and lawn.
  • People enjoy parking along Harbourside Place.
  • Too many activities included in the plan - flexible space is important.


How We're Responding:

  • Adding covered seating and park picnic shelters.
  • Creating lawn areas at the top of the bank.
  • Providing a temporary parking lot near the proposed off-leash dog area. In the future, parking for park visitors will be available along Harbourside Place, and underground within the Harbourside Development.
View of beach volleyball court, intertidal wetlands and the Spirit Trail pedestrian path.

What We Heard:

  • Create more space dedicated to active use, including for adults.
  • Concern over removal of volleyball courts.
  • Separate the children's play area from the off-leash dog area.
  • Washrooms are essential and must be accessible.
  • Integrate nature into the plaza area.


How We're Responding:

  • Integrating one volleyball court into the west side of the park.
  • Adding fitness equipment and parkour to create an 'All Ages Play Zone'.
  • Increasing the buffer between the children's play area and the off-leash dog area by using plants, pathways, and the washroom building.

Give your feedback on the proposed park amenities.

View of the All Ages Activity Zone, including a children's playground, parkour course, and all ages fitness station.

What We Heard:

  • Keep trails inclusive and accessible.
  • Existing trails and paths are congested.
  • Support for separating cyclists from pedestrians for safety.


How We're Responding:

  • Ensuring all trails and pathways are accessible.
  • Implementing speed control and way-finding measures on East and West ends of the site to reduce conflict and congestion on the Spirit Trail.
  • Permitting on-leash dogs throughout the park. This includes the accessible pathways and lawn areas.
  • Creating a separated bike lane on Harbourside Drive.
  • Separating cyclists from pedestrians on all pathways along the busy shoreline.
click to view larger


  • Project History & What We Heard

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    The development of a park master plan for Kings Mill Walk park to renew and improve the park in response to the changes coming to the Harbourside neighbourhood and to meet our community’s needs has been a work in progress for many years.


    2015 Community Consultation

    In 2015, the Kings Mill Walk Master Plan process began with data gathering, site analysis and a preliminary public engagement process. The open house and stakeholder workshop were both held in the Spring of 2015.

    These events were a valuable first step in the master plan process. It was an opportunity to introduce the project to the community and receive feedback on potential ideas for change. Many participants shared ideas to improve the shoreline, the need for public washrooms and covered gathering areas. We also heard that people valued the off-leash area and the views.

    The feedback we received led to the shoreline improvement work with the Port of Vancouver. The preliminary findings from 2015 have also been revisited by our task force in our renewed process to create a draft concept plan.


    2015 Until 2020 Community Consultation

    Following the initial workshops with the public and stakeholders in 2015, we started to work with the Port of Vancouver to adapt and protect the shoreline from sea level rise and storm surges. The Port has authority over the active port area and the shoreline south of the park.

    Over several years the City and Port developed a plan with a series of rocky headlands and cobble beaches to improve the aquatic and intertidal habitat in an effort to enhance the oceanfront between Mackay and Mosquito Creek. Now that the improvements to the shoreline are understood, the design of the park can continue.


    2020-2021 Community Consultation

    The goals of the 2020-2021 phase of this project were to:

    • Inform stakeholders and the public of the park master plan project and timeline
    • Understand the needs and ideas of the public, task force and stakeholders
    • Define a draft vision statement, guiding principles for the park master plan
    • Create a draft concept plan for review and feedback from the public and stakeholders


    Community Engagement

    In the summer of 2020, the City launched the Kings Mill Walk Master Plan Let’s Talk project page to residents. We asked you to contribute your vision for the park and share ideas for park improvements. We received many suggestions and comments to help us to restart this project. We heard interest in:

    • creating or improving natural habitat
    • separating bikes from pedestrians in the park
    • retaining a dog off-leash area
    • creating space for gathering with seating and covered spaces
    • accessing the water, beach and swimming opportunities


    Kings Mill Walk Master Plan Community Task Force

    In the Fall of 2020, City Council appointed a Kings Mill Walk Task Force to contribute to the development of the park master plan. The task force is made up of City residents from a variety of ages from four years to seniors with a variety of perspectives and experiences to share.

    The first step for the task force was to review the feedback received to date and project history. Together with a design team and City staff, the task force explored the existing park conditions and how the community currently uses the park. The task force learned about:

    1. How the surrounding community is changing and how the park will need to change in response to the future development of the adjacent properties on Harbourside Drive.
    2. The work that was done with the Port to make changes to the current shoreline to address sea level rise and reduce the risk of flooding.

    The opportunities and constraints of the City’s application to the Port were considered by the task force such as to the opportunity to improve the shoreline habitat and the Port’s requirements to restrict public access to the water along the south edge of park. The Port’s jurisdiction over the water and efforts to improve the shoreline habitat has implications for the park master plan. Although we heard the interest from the community to provide more connection to the water at Kings Mill Walk, activities such as public swimming or dog access to the beaches cannot be integrated into the final design due to the requirements of the Port.

    The next step for the task force was to help develop a draft vision and guiding design principles for the new Kings Mill Walk. These are important statements for the design process and they help to establish the overall framework for the Master Plan. Through a series of workshops, the task force, City Staff and design consultants considered:

    • the park’s future character, new activities, potential habitat enhancements
    • the need to separate bikes and pedestrians
    • changes to the off-leash area


    The draft vision and guiding principles were shared with a variety of stakeholders including local businesses in the Harbourside area, Bodwell School, Burrard Yacht Club and representatives of the Squamish Nation.

    The draft guiding principles, vision statement, stakeholder feedback, City staff review and the Port approved shoreline plan has all been combined together in the Draft Kings Mill Walk concept plan that we are now presenting to the community for feedback.

Page last updated: 29 Aug 2023, 12:06 PM