A sweeping plan is in motion to turn a major stretch of Burnaby’s BC Parkway into a vibrant linear park, connecting neighborhoods and revitalizing public spaces between Boundary Road and Royal Oak SkyTrain Station.

Breathing New Life into a Historic Corridor

Burnaby’s Parkway Alive! initiative is shaping a bold future for the BC Parkway corridor, aiming to transform the three-kilometer stretch from a basic commuter path into a dynamic destination. Long recognized as a multi-use trail shadowing the SkyTrain’s Expo Line, the BC Parkway is now poised to become a welcoming space that celebrates health, community, and culture.

Located between Boundary Road and the Royal Oak SkyTrain station, this revitalization targets the densely populated Metrotown area, where private outdoor space is often limited. City officials envision a place where residents can not only commute but also gather, play, relax, and connect.

*Photo by City of Burnaby

Features Designed with Community in Mind

The Parkway Alive! plan imagines a lively and inclusive public realm filled with amenities designed for people of all ages and backgrounds. Proposed features include:

• Fitness circuits, playgrounds, and dog parks to encourage active lifestyles.

• Pollinator gardens, community gardens, and open green spaces for environmental and social engagement.

• Water play areas, public washrooms, and seating spaces to enhance comfort and usability.

• Permanent pod structures near Metrotown for cafés and small vendors, boosting the local economy.

• Public art installations and a landmark sculpture at the heart of Metrotown to showcase Burnaby’s creative spirit.

• Youth-oriented recreation spaces like skate and pump tracks near Patterson.

• Gateway plazas at Boundary Road featuring historical elements like the 1913-built wrought iron Central Park arch.

• Enhanced nighttime lighting and safety features to ensure accessibility and comfort for all users.

Special attention is being paid to incorporate Indigenous culture and history, recognizing a historic village that once existed nearby, and to reflect Burnaby’s multicultural community through diverse programming opportunities.

*Photos by City of Burnaby

From Vision to Reality: Project Timeline and Funding Hurdles

The planning phases for Parkway Alive! are well underway:

• Site Analysis and Visioning (January–June 2024) — completed after wide-ranging public engagement.

• Draft and Final Framework Plan (June–December 2024) — finalized with council review in early 2025.

However, despite enthusiastic support from council and the public, funding remains a major challenge. The project’s full realization will require “substantial long-term investment,” and it currently does not have a place in Burnaby’s five-year financial plan or development cost charge program.

To move forward, city staff are looking to creative partnerships, including:

• Public-private partnerships

• Corporate sponsorships and naming rights

• Developer contributions

• Grants from higher levels of government

• Community-driven initiatives

Mayor Mike Hurley emphasized the potential for private sector interest, suggesting that corporate sponsors could play a significant role in making Parkway Alive! a reality without overburdening taxpayers.

In the meantime, Burnaby has earmarked $250,000 to fund temporary activations like food trucks, pop-up performances, colorful seating installations, and community games near Metrotown and Patterson stations, ensuring momentum stays alive as the long-term project develops.

Keeping the Parkway Alive Today

While the full vision will take years to unfold, the city has already launched initiatives under the Parkway Alive! brand. Temporary enhancements — foosball tables, picnic areas, vibrant benches — are already brightening the corridor, particularly near Metrotown SkyTrain station. These pilot projects aim to bring people into the space and build excitement for the future.

Adding to this, the Parkway Alive Community Partner Program (2025) invites non-profit organizations to host free, small-scale public events at Patterson and Metrotown stations, offering grants between $1,000 and $5,000. Programs that foster equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion will be given priority, ensuring that Parkway Alive! grows as a shared community asset.

A Promising Future for Burnaby’s Urban Heart

Burnaby’s Parkway Alive! is more than just a beautification project — it’s a visionary plan to reimagine urban space for a growing and diversifying population. From playgrounds to public art to community gardens, the project promises to bring Metrotown’s vibrancy outdoors, providing a vital public commons for today and tomorrow.

Curious how projects like Parkway Alive! could reshape the future of Burnaby living? We're keeping a close watch so our clients always stay one step ahead. Want to be one of them?

Burnaby's Brentwood Site Master Plan outlines a bold vision for a mixed-use, transit-connected community at 4567 Lougheed Highway.

A New Era for Brentwood: Live, Work, Play, Connect

In a sweeping reimagining of Burnaby’s Brentwood Town Centre, the Brentwood Site Conceptual Master Plan is set to transform the former shopping mall and surface parking lots into a dynamic, world-class urban community. Strategically located at Lougheed Highway and Willingdon Avenue, and directly linked to the Brentwood Town Centre SkyTrain Station, the 28.4-acre site will soon become a signature destination where living, working, shopping, and recreation converge.

This ambitious project builds on the original Brentwood Town Centre Development Plan (BTCDP) from 1996, responding to contemporary urban needs with a high-density, transit-oriented, and sustainability-driven development approach.

Shaping a Complete, Connected, and Creative Community

Transit-Oriented Urban Living

One of the cornerstone principles of the Brentwood redevelopment is its embrace of Transit Oriented Development (TOD). With the SkyTrain station just steps away and enhanced bus connections planned, the new Brentwood will minimize car dependence and encourage walkability. This aligns closely with Burnaby’s vision of a "Complete Community," where residents have daily needs — from shopping to childcare — within easy reach.

Diversity Through Mixed Use

The new Brentwood will no longer be a single-purpose shopping mall. Instead, it will offer a vibrant mix of residential, office, retail, and civic spaces. Residential development is set to more than double, growing from just over 4 million to over 8.4 million square feet, offering market and non-market rental units to support diverse demographics. Office towers near the High Street will bring new employment opportunities, while retail will be reimagined from an internal mall to lively, street-oriented shopping experiences.

Creative Urban Design and Sustainability

In keeping with Burnaby’s Creative City Strategy, the master plan emphasizes innovative public spaces and architectural excellence. Expect bold signage, public art installations, and a pedestrian-first design. Sustainability is another core pillar, targeting a LEED-ND Gold standard, with strategies like stormwater management, green roofs, and urban infill principles creating a greener, more resilient community.

Major Features: A New Public Realm and Iconic Urban Spaces

Town Centre Plaza and Brentwood Boulevard

At the heart of the new Brentwood will be the Town Centre Plaza — a dynamic outdoor "living room" connecting to the SkyTrain, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and retail. Running through the site, the newly created Brentwood Boulevard (High Street) will serve as a major pedestrian spine, lined with tree-shaded sidewalks, patios, and boutique storefronts.

A Greener, More Accessible Neighbourhood

The plan introduces generous open spaces, including a new central park along the northern edge, bridging the urban core with adjacent single-family neighbourhoods. Upgrades to Willingdon Avenue and Lougheed Highway will transform them into pedestrian-friendly streetscapes with widened sidewalks and urban trails for cyclists.

Striking Skylines and Human-Scale Streets

Towers will range from 35 to 80 storeys, creating an iconic skyline while carefully stepping down toward the lower-density neighbourhoods. A strong focus on fine-grain architectural detail at ground level will ensure that the pedestrian experience remains intimate and welcoming.

*Photos by City of Burnaby

Background: Years in the Making, With Eyes on the Future

The Brentwood redevelopment journey began when Shape Properties acquired the site in 2010. The initial master plan was approved in 2013, paving the way for Phase 1’s opening in 2020. New policies, including Burnaby’s Rental Use Zoning Policy (RUZP) in 2020 and the province’s Bill 47 Transit-Oriented Areas Act in 2023, prompted amendments in late 2023 to boost rental housing, enhance connectivity, and provide additional community amenities.

Public consultations rolled out in early 2024, inviting feedback from Burnaby residents on the updated plan. The new master plan will guide phased rezoning and development for years to come, with flexibility built in to respond to evolving market conditions.

*Photos by City of Burnaby

Looking Ahead

The Brentwood Site Conceptual Master Plan represents not just a revitalization of a mall, but the creation of a new, sustainable, and inclusive urban centre in the heart of Burnaby.

Curious about how projects like this are reshaping Brentwood and beyond? We’re tracking these developments closely to keep our clients and community informed. Let’s connect if you want to stay ahead of the curve on Burnaby’s future!