Park Pulse
About this project
Park Pulse is a 4-year park improvement program that is currently installing park and recreation amenities throughout the city. Beginning in summer of 2024, this initiative is creating inviting and engaging public spaces for everyone to enjoy.
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.
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?
The parks scheduled for upgrades in 2025 include:
We’ll be installing new shade structures to keep visitors comfortable during the summer heat.
If you’re a regular at Central Park, you might have already started to see some upgraded signage in our park kiosks- the whole park is receiving fresh, improved wayfinding and informational signage to make Burnaby’s landmark park easier to navigate and enjoy than ever before.
Willingdon Heights Park will be receiving two new half basketball courts on the west side of the park along Gilmore Avenue. We’re partnering with a non-profit group and a local artist to create a mural design for the courts and engage youth for the painting process. These bright, colourful courts will provide another place to play in Burnaby, and help form meaningful connections to our youth and community.
Located in the Suncrest community, the playground at McKay Park will be refreshed to make the park more welcoming and fun for visitors of all ages. We’ll be adding new accessible paths, fencing and planting, and play equipment for young children. The existing swing box at the lower elevation will be removed to provide continuous open lawn for more flexible use.
Other improvements
9 playgrounds are receiving accessibility upgrades to make parks and playgrounds around Burnaby more inclusive to all. These upgrades include accessible swings with back support, rubber mats in high wear areas, paved letdowns for barrier-free entry into play areas, and improvements to paths and site amenities. In 2025, the list of parks scheduled for upgrades includes:
- Avondale Park
- Cariboo Park
- Charles Rummel Park
- Forest Glen Park
- Halifax Park
- Kinnee Park
- Lakeview School Park
- Squint Lake Park
- Wesburn Park
Back again for 2025, the colourful temporary loungers with umbrellas which debuted in 2024 were very popular and will be reinstalled for summer 2025! Look for them this spring/summer at Deer Lake Park, Kinnee Park, Keswick Park, and Brentwood Park.
2024 Park Pulse improvements
Park Pulse added improvements to 7 parks in 2024, bringing colour, fun, and new accessible ways to play to parks across the city. This included bright, bold new courts at Brentwood Park, lounge seating at Deer Lake Park, colourful makeovers for the spray pads at Ernie Winch and Keswick parks, and a new sandbox at Kinnee Park. Lobley Park and Poplar Park received refreshed playground equipment, and rubberized surfacing made from recycled tires, thanks to a generous grant from Tire Stewardship BC. All these locations also featured bright, colourful temporary furniture and shade umbrellas in the summer to help residents get the most out of their local parks, even in the summer heat.