Vancouver Park Board Considers Major New Attractions for Queen Elizabeth Park
Vancouver park board staff are proposing a significant new attraction program for Queen Elizabeth Park that would include a canopy tree walk and zip line. The proposal, which will be presented to the board for approval next Monday, represents a $2.5 million investment by private companies to enhance the park's visitor experience.
Proposed Attractions and Operational Details
Under the staff plan, local businesses would be permitted to construct a 300-metre tree canopy walk in the northwest section of the park and a 120-metre zip line directly north of the Bloedel Conservatory. The canopy walk would operate year-round, while the zip line would be available only during summer months. Pricing has been set at $20 per person for the tree walk and $16 per ride for the zip line.
The proposal includes several key components:
- A visitor centre to serve as a base for the new attractions
- A seasonal bus service connecting Queen Elizabeth Park to VanDusen Botanical Garden
- Potential for a one-month-a-year butterfly enclosure if the initial attractions prove successful
Background and Development Process
The initiative began in April 2023 when the park board received an unsolicited proposal to introduce new attractions and services to the park. While the initial proposal's originator wasn't disclosed, the park board subsequently issued a request for expressions of interest in June 2023. This process was won by Greenheart and Partners, a consortium consisting of Greenheart (which has operated the UBC tree walk for 17 years), Triple Bottom Line, and the Nature Agency.
The staff report emphasized that the proposal aligns with the park board's mandate and demonstrates compatibility with existing park spaces.
Park Characteristics and Suitability
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver's second largest park after Stanley Park, occupies the highest point in the city and spans 52 hectares. The park already features several notable attractions including the Bloedel Conservatory, Seasons in the Park restaurant, a landscaped quarry garden, an arboretum with extensive native tree collections, and various sports facilities for tennis, lawn bowling, and pitch and putt.
The staff report states: "As Vancouver's second official destination park, Queen Elizabeth Park is well positioned to support this proposal. It is sufficiently large to integrate these experiences without significantly impacting most other park users, it possesses the tree canopy and elevation required to support the attractions program, and it is centrally located, enhancing access for residents, visitors and school groups."
Implementation and Environmental Considerations
The canopy walk would utilize 10 healthy trees for structural supports, with some sickly trees scheduled for removal as part of the project. Park board staff are recommending a five-year agreement with Greenheart and Partners, with an option to renew for an additional five years.
The proposal represents a significant enhancement to Vancouver's park infrastructure and aims to provide new ways for residents and visitors to engage with one of the city's premier green spaces. The attractions would particularly benefit growing populations in adjacent neighborhoods while maintaining the park's natural character and existing recreational uses.
