Parks

Parks, trails, gardens, natural areas, sports fields, playgrounds, and other outdoor spaces support recreation, relaxation, connection with nature, and community gathering throughout the year.

As New Westminster grows, parks and green spaces play an increasingly important role in supporting health, well-being, recreation, and connection. People, Parks, and Play, the city's 10-year parks and recreation plan, guides how parks and outdoor spaces grow and change to meet community needs.

Shared priorities

Parks planning and improvement projects focus on three priorities:

• Reconciliation: Honouring Indigenous relationships to the land, local histories, and traditional stewardship practices.
• Equity, inclusion and accessibility: Reducing barriers so people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can access and enjoy parks and outdoor spaces.
• Low-carbon resilience: Expanding the urban forest, protecting natural areas, and helping parks adapt to climate change.

Parks for a growing city

Parks and outdoor spaces continue to evolve to meet the needs of a growing community. Current areas of focus include:

• Enhancing active spaces: Renewing playgrounds, improving outdoor recreation amenities, and adding public washrooms in high-use areas.
• Expanding urban green space: Creating new park spaces, planting trees, and caring for natural ecosystems.
• Connecting communities: Building accessible trails, pathways, and greenways that connect neighbourhoods, parks, recreation facilities, and natural areas.