A unique new park is now open in downtown Vancouver

Vancouver residents and visitors now have a brand new park in the city’s downtown core.

The installation opened to the public on Friday at Smithe and Richards streets in Yaletown. It’s the first new downtown park in 10 years and it makes creative use of its 0.8 acre parcel of land.

“One of the design challenges, and I think we’ve done a fantastic job, is to take a small space and make it look a lot bigger than it is,” said Alexander Man-Bourdon, project manager of the Vancouver Park Board, to Global News.

The result, he said, is a “mini-massive” park.

Among its unique design elements are play areas including a three-story play tower, climbing frames and hammocks.

It also has public restrooms, lounge areas, a multi-dimensional walkway, and art installations. From May, it will also include a cafe operated by local coffee roaster Kafka’s with a green roof.

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The city estimates that more than 27,000 people live or work within a five-minute walk of the park.

The park will have an official name donated by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations at a ceremony in June.

The installation was expected to cost $13.8 million, but the final bill was $15.2 million due to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.