The city has opened the westward expansion of Westminster Pier Park, adding roughly two acres of new public space along the Fraser River in downtown New Westminster.
From parking lot to public place
The newly completed section — previously referred to by the city as “Park B” and “Park C” — sits between the Sixth Street overpass and the Fraser River Discovery Centre. Developed as part of the 2019 Riverfront Park Master Plan and shaped through a multi-stage public engagement process, the expansion converts a surface parking area into new programmed parkland aimed at recreation, gatherings and everyday use.
“The westward expansion of Westminster Pier Park marks an exciting milestone in the continued evolution of New Westminster’s riverfront,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “This long-envisioned space brings years of planning and community input to life, changing a parking lot into a welcoming place where people of all ages and abilities can gather, stay active, and enjoy the Fraser River. It reflects our commitment to strengthening community connections and building a more livable, accessible city.”
Constructed on top of a three-storey parkade, the extension centres on a dynamic festival plaza that includes seasonal water jets and a performance stage sheltered by a shade sail. The plaza is flanked by two open lawn areas and tiered seating, designed to support performances and informal gatherings.
Features for everyday use and events
City materials list a range of amenities intended to broaden how people use the riverfront at different times and seasons. New additions include:
- an outdoor fitness area
- ping-pong tables
- picnic tables
- a designated dog relief area
- more than 100 newly planted trees
A multi-use pathway links the expanded section to the Riverfront Esplanade, improving routes for pedestrians, cyclists and people using mobility devices along the quay. Work will continue through the summer to finish two accessible public washrooms adjacent to the Sixth Street plaza.
Numbers and design at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New parkland | Approximately two acres |
| New park spaces | Two (previously called Park B and Park C) |
| Trees planted | More than 100 |
| Structure beneath | Three-storey parkade |
The scale and features of the expansion are deliberately aimed at supporting both everyday neighbourhood uses — walking, dog-walking, sitting under trees — and larger programmed events such as performances and festivals. The festival plaza’s stage and shade sail, combined with tiered seating and an open lawn, give organisers a flexible footprint for summer programming.
For New Westminster, a city that has seen significant riverfront redevelopment over recent years, the project completes the westward piece of the riverfront vision set out in 2019. City planners and councillors have emphasised connections along the quay as central to the long-term strategy for waterfront vitality and accessibility; the new multi-use pathway is the latest tangible link in that network.
Local residents and riverfront users can expect incremental work to continue this summer on finishing touches, including the two accessible washrooms near the Sixth Street plaza. Beyond amenities, the project underscores municipal priorities around creating more public space in the downtown core and strengthening community access to the Fraser River.
As the space settles into everyday use, attention will shift to programming, maintenance and how the new sections integrate with established parts of Westminster Pier Park. For pedestrians and cyclists, the completed pathway promises a more continuous route along the river; for neighbours and visitors, the expansion offers additional places to meet, play and watch the river flow through New Westminster’s evolving waterfront.
