Park Pulse
About this project
Park Pulse is a four-year park improvement program that is currently installing park and recreation amenities throughout the city. This initiative is creating inviting and engaging public spaces for everyone to enjoy. Starting in summer of 2024 additional seating, colourful enhancements to existing park features, improved accessibility, safety, and more are being installed in our parks. Whether you are looking to play, relax, exercise, or learn, our parks are offering something for everyone.
In 2023, the federal government launched the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to support projects involved in increasing affordable housing, constructing housing related infrastructure, and building community-amenities, such as parks, that support the creation of complete communities. This fund is being used to support Park Pulse improvements over the next four years.
Our parks are more than just green spaces; they are vital community infrastructure that enhance livability, foster social cohesion and contribute to economic development. They play a key role in supporting higher density housing by providing shared amenities and recreational opportunities, making our neighbourhoods more attractive and resilient. Through the HAF-funded Park Pulse program, we are improving our parks, making them safer, more beautiful and more enjoyable for everyone.
What is happening now?
Park Pulse is starting with improvements to 5 parks in high-growth and high-density neighbourhoods in summer of 2024. The sites are distributed between all 4 Town Centres plus Deer Lake Park in the centre of the city. Each year additional parks will be added to the program.
The 2024 sites include:
Brentwood Park is featuring colourful courts, loungers near the wading pool, and a log play feature.
Deer Lake Park is receiving unique lounge seating on wood platforms along the Deer Lake beach. These are providing additional seating and shade for the enjoyment of the lake.
To add fun to the park – Ernie Winch is receiving a colourful makeover on the spray pad and added features around the periphery of the water play. We are adding picnic tables by the trellis structures and wooden seating platforms around the trees for lounging.
Keswick Park is receiving some fun activations this summer, including fresh and bright paint around the spray pad and basketball court, lounge chairs and umbrellas, and free games to play in the open field.
Kinnee Park is receiving a new sandbox, new lounge chairs under shade umbrellas, and opportunities for play in the open field with free outdoor games.
We are upgrading the central lawn in Ron McLean Park. The upgrade naturalizes and greens an existing water drainage swale. The project includes new understory and tree planting, river rock, boulders, a new boardwalk to improve access in the park, and new seating along the naturalized area under existing shade trees.
And more
In addition to these mini-projects–playgrounds throughout the city are seeing revitalization, accessibility upgrades, and safety improvements. A big move is being made to upgrade the entire signage and wayfinding system in Central Park.
Park Pulse is an exciting opportunity to accelerate community infrastructure and enhance livability in Burnaby. Stay tuned to learn about exciting improvements happening in 2025 and beyond. Join us in making Burnaby a greener, healthier, and happier place to live, work, and play!