Construction on 11-acre Oceanfront Park begins this month

Oceanfront Squamish Developments will launch construction of the long awaited 11-acre Oceanfront Park at the end of August 2021.

The highly anticipated park will feature a water sports beach, recreation beach, large open green spaces, slacklines, public art installations, and trails linking the park to the surrounding community.

“It is an incredible milestone to begin construction of the Oceanfront Park,” said John Matthews, President at Matthews West Developments.

“Derived from a vision of the community and rooted in place, many minds and hands have come together to bring this to life.”

Mayor Elliott agrees.

“This is an incredible milestone nearly 20 years in the making, and we commend the many individuals who have taken the great time and care to realize this shared vision and dream for the community of Squamish – one that many local residents have worked towards since the District acquired the former chemical plant lands in 2004”,

The company said it has undertaken considerable environmental remediation work to arrive at the place where these lands can be enjoyed by the public.

“In addition to the park amenities, I think the most impressive component is the ecological restoration of the site from its post-industrial contaminated state” adds Jessica Herman, Project Engineer for the Oceanfront Park.

“Now, the park will provide increased intertidal marsh area displaying native plant species, in collaboration with Leigh Joseph (Styawat), an ethnobotanist, integrating the ecological and cultural restoration of the site.”

“Shaped by the community, the place, the wind, the tides and storms, the park has been designed to address sea level rise, erosion and flooding in its design” and then adds “In return, the park will provide a much-desired gathering place by the ocean for the sea creatures and people alike. It has been an honor to work alongside the community in designing and delivering this park.”