Westminster Pier Park
September 2024: Due to vandalism, the washrooms are under repair and will be closed through October and November. The nearest public washrooms are located at Anvil Centre and River Market. Updates will be provided as they are available.

November 2024: Elevator is our of service. Repairs are pending.

Access

The Westminster Pier Park can be conveniently accessed via the Fourth Street Overpass and the Sixth Street Overpass. Both entrances are accessible, Fourth Street overpass via outdoor elevator and Sixth Street via accessible ramp.


Eats at the Pier Concession


Park Description

Nominated as the #1 2015 boardwalk around Vancouver, the innovative and award winning Westminster Pier Park is uniquely built with equal parts built on land and water (supported by 3,600 pilings).

The Westminster Pier Park connects visitors to the mighty Fraser River and when combined with the Waterfront Esplanade Boardwalk creates a magnificent 2.5 km linear waterfront park.

The Westminster Pier Park amenities include: a 325 metre water front boardwalk, festival lawn, concession, elevated viewpoints, grass, trees, gardens, benches, accessible picnic tables, a basketball court, public art, and play area.

Within 1 km of the park is the Samson V Maritime Museum, Fraser River Discovery Centre, World's Tallest Tin Soldier, Waterfront Esplanade, Quayside Playground, Quayside off-leash dog area, Antique Alley and historic Columbia Street. This makes the Pier Park a perfect family destination for playing, relaxing, shopping, sight-seeing and eating. Plan your trip to Westminster Pier Park today!


Public Art

Westminster Pier Park has a number of public art feature including Community on the River: The Place Where People Meet, which describes the history of Lytton Square and 87 fascinating milestones in New Westminster's rich history. The park also features a Memory Band highlighting people, places and businesses significant to the History of New Westminster.


Awards and Recognition

Westminster Pier Park was recognized for its remediation and design excellence through the following awards:

Authority

Award Category

1. Georgia Straight Best Make Over of a Community Space (2012)
2. Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Sustainable Communities Award in the Brownfield category (2012)

FCM Project & Overview

3. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

Commercial Building Award (2012)

4. Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators

Innovation and administrative excellence in converting a contaminated brownfield into a usable greenfield (2012)

5. Canadian Urban Institute for sustainable remediation technologies National Brownie Award(2011)
6. Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia APEGBC’s 2012 Environmental Award
7. International Downtown Association Downtown Pinnacle Award for Public Space (2013)
8. Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

Regional Honour - Design (2013)

9. BC Recreation and Parks Association 2014 Parks & Open Spaces Award
10. Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

2014 National Urban Design Award

RAIC Press Release

11. Royal City Builders Award 2015 Award for Landscaping

Westminster Pier Park was also profiled and recognized in the December 2012 issue of Innovation (Journal of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC) for the engineering, innovation, complexity and accomplishments.

The park was also featured in the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities  and on the World Landscape Architecture website.


History

The park was officially opened in 2012. In September 2020, the park caught fire and burned for more than 10 days. The iconic art installation, Wow Westminster, was an unfortunate loss along with amenities including the sand volleyball courts and an urban beach. After a massive rebuilding effort the park reopened April 2021.