Ambleside Waterfront Park Implementation Project
Update - November 2, 2020
More waterfront park space coming soon to Ambleside!
As part of the Ambleside Waterfront Plan, the structure at 1466 Argyle Avenue is being removed to create more park space and improved access to the waterfront.
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 begin in phases over the next several years.
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.
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 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.
Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.
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
Completed Changes
Have a question about this project? Sign up and ask your question below.
Personal information entered in this form is collected pursuant to section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of augmenting and diversifying civic engagement (your username, question, and the District's response to your question will be made public). If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Legislative Services, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays, at 604-921-3497 at Municipal Hall, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3.
Regarding your response below, I am requesting specific information about how and when specifically input from the community about Ambleside Park will be requested and gathered next? 'Staff will continue to seek input from key stakeholders and keep the community informed.
vihughes asked 11 days ago
Dates and questions are not prepared at this time. Please feel free to call the Parks Planning & Development Manager, Ian Haras, at 604-925-7143 if you have specific questions.
What specific plans are there for more community input regarding Ambleside Park? On site meetings? dates, etc.?
vihughes asked about 1 month ago
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 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.
When will the washrooms on the beach be repaired, repainted etc. ??
Bob77 asked over 1 year ago
For questions about general park maintenance, please call the Parks enquiries line at 604-925-7275.
What is the dollar amount approved by Council for this Implementation project and when was it approved?
A budget for the implementation of the Ambleside Waterfront Project has not been set yet. District staff are currently working on the final conceptual drawings along with the phasing and a costing budget that will allow staff to determine a budget for the first phase of the project. The requested budget will then be subject to Council's approval.
I hope we will not have to wait for the implementation of this plan to get lighting on the seawall between 18th and 15th streets!
JS asked about 2 years ago
Any park and pathway lighting will be implemented during the construction of that phase of park.
When will an accessible boat launch be available in west Vancouver? Our kids can no longer sail at ambleside since there is no way to get the dinghy into the water with or without a vehicle.
Oxley asked almost 2 years ago
The non-motorized boat launch just east of the sailing club is still available for use, however motorized vehicles are not permitted to drive to this location. People are encourage to drop off their dingy and trailer and walk them to the boat ramp.
What part does a new boat launch play in the plan.
dixong asked almost 2 years ago
A new boat launch is not part of the plan for Ambleside Waterfront Park (13th–18th Street), however, this opportunity will be explored during the Ambleside Park Master Plan (East of 13th Street) process.
Why does council refuse to allow additional benches on the Ambleside doggie walk? The number of benches has not changed in 40 years even though the population of West Vancouver has tripled. Many seniors use this walk and during the summer months all the benches are always full.
McBoingboing asked almost 2 years ago
The Ambleside Waterfront Park plan will review seating opportunities along the entire stretch and attempt to balance seating opportunities with other park programming opportunities.
How will the anticipated and unanticipated impacts of climate change affect the risk management of this project? What assumptions are given to sea-level rise, and what mitigations are being pursued? What are the projected potential financial liabilities as it relates to climate change?
durutticolumn asked almost 2 years ago
The District has been slowly removing the old armoured residential seawalls in favour of a more naturalized foreshore to aid in wave attenuation, reduce erosion and enhance habitat. The park may also function as an infiltration and detention area during high tide events after the sea level rise.
The Coastal Marine Management Plan Working Group is developing policy recommendations on the management of our coast. Learn more: https://westvancouver.ca/be-involved/committees-groups/working-groups/coastal-marine-management-plan-working-group
While I welcome improvements why build and plant more when you cannot maintain properly our existing parks?
Politics asked over 2 years ago
Improving the Ambleside waterfront has been a priority of Council for many years. The current plan reflects what we heard from the community and was adopted in June 2016. While Ambleside is a signature waterfront park area, West Vancouver has more parks per capita than many other municipalities. It's often noted that the abundance of parks and green space is one of the reasons people choose to live here. If you are aware of a park that requires attention, please contact us at 604-925-7275.
Signup Banner
Ian Haras
Parks Planning & Development Manager
Email iharas@westvancouver.ca
25 members of your community are following this project
Ambleside Waterfront Park Implementation Project has finished this stage
Ambleside Waterfront Park Implementation Project is currently at this stage
this is an upcoming stage for Ambleside Waterfront Park Implementation Project
Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan endorsed by Council
Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan
History of waterfront plans, policies and studies (1975–2015)
Report to Council–October 13, 2015