The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation’s sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7 Rainbow Park, designed by DIALOG, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) Parks Excellence Award.
Celebrated on Thursday, May 2 at the Awards and Annual General Meeting held this year in Penticton, BC, the park was honoured with BCRPA the Provincial Awards of Excellence in the ‘Parks Excellence’ category
This award showcases outstanding design and development of park spaces using natural elements or repurposed materials, reflecting innovative community culture. It is accessible to all patrons and encourages individuals and communities to get out into nature, positively impacting the wellbeing of the community and of the recreation and parks sector. The award recognizes the team’s efforts in exemplifying how the recreation, parks, and culture sector contributes to a high quality of life in our communities.
The Parks Excellence Award is one of six Provincial Awards of Excellence presented during BCRPA’s annual conference. Each award is presented on behalf of more than 5,000 recreation and parks sector members from across BC working to enhance the physical and mental health, wellness, connectedness, and quality of life of their communities.
sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7 Rainbow Park
sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7 Rainbow Park is situated in a highly urban setting in the City of Vancouver, replacing a pre-existing parking lot and servicing more than 30,000 people who live and work within a five-minute walk of the park.
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7 Rainbow Park, is a dynamic space acting as a community porch for residents, office workers and tourists, enriching the urban experience in an accessible and memorable way. It offers accessible transport and parking spaces, barrier free entrances, wide and level paths throughout the park, seating for visitors with mobility challenges, accessible washrooms, wayfinding including braille signage, and safety sightlines through to the playground.
Over 50% of the space is covered with plants, including native species that are significant to the host Nation’s culture, food, and medicine, as well as local pollinator plants. Rainwater is collected in a series of pocket wetlands and in the plaza, water from the splashpad is collected, filtered, and recirculated to on-site lush fixtures and irrigation.
Learn about all the award recipients here.
About BC Recreation and Parks Association
The British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) is a not-for-profit organization that plays a central role in leading the enrichment and improvement of the quality of life of British Columbians and their communities. They champion the power of recreation and parks. Since 1958, BCRPA has provided leadership, training and support, fostering the principles of accessibility, equity and inclusion, to help members meet provincial and local health and physical activity priorities that improve the quality of life of every British Columbian. The sector has evolved from its early days as a service provider – offering recreational activities, cultural programs and access to facilities, parks and other services.
