A new urban park honouring Chinese Canadian history and offering green respite is coming to the heart of Downtown New Westminster. The 824 Agnes Street Park project is more than a landscape upgrade — it’s a landmark of remembrance, renewal, and community connection.

Construction is officially underway for 824 Agnes Street Park, a unique public space being developed in conjunction with a new residential tower at 810 Agnes Street. The park will transform a once-endangered historic site into a multi-level oasis of reflection and gathering, commemorating the deep roots and resilience of New Westminster’s Chinese Canadian community.

A Historic Site Reimagined

At just 800 square metres, the park site — also referred to as 825 Victoria Street — may be modest in size, but it carries immense historical weight. Originally the home of the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) and the famed “Old Man’s Home” built in 1905, this location once served as a vital community centre: a school, a hospital, a residence, and a safe space for generations of Chinese immigrants who faced systemic racism and exclusion. In 1979, the CBA donated the land to the City as a gesture of gratitude, though the building was later demolished.

The new park is a gesture of reconciliation and recognition. It’s part of New Westminster’s broader Chinese Reconciliation Process — the city was the first municipality in Canada to formally apologize for past discrimination against Chinese Canadians. This green space honours that history while addressing the needs of a growing, diverse downtown.

*Photos by City of New Westminster

A Design Inspired by Culture and Community

Developed by Hapa Collaborative in partnership with Jago Development, the design draws deeply from classical Chinese garden principles while integrating contemporary urban park elements. The site’s steep 7-metre slope is transformed into six terraced levels, navigable via wide steps known as “The Big Stairs” and an accessible route through an adjacent community amenity building.

Key park features include:

• Water elements: A rainwater-activated feature flows through a bamboo grove, under a bridge, and down a wall — a symbolic and literal stream of memory.

• Symbolic planting: Pine, plum, and bamboo — known as the “Three Friends of Winter” — represent strength, resilience, and harmony.

• Gathering spaces: Entry courts, garden rooms, and flexible spaces designed for everything from yoga to Mahjong, lantern festivals to movie nights.

• Interpretive design: Perforated “accordion” screens and walls will integrate historical storytelling through text, imagery, and public art.

• Urban integration: The park doubles as a vital pedestrian link between Agnes and Victoria Streets, connecting nearby residential towers with the SkyTrain and greater downtown core.

Deep Roots, Strong Voices: Community Shaped the Vision

The park’s development has been anything but top-down. Since 2013, the City of New Westminster has engaged in a collaborative consultation process involving over a dozen community groups, including the New Westminster Chinese Society, local heritage organizations, and reconciliation advocates.

Feedback from public open houses and stakeholder workshops shaped everything from the park’s layout to its interpretive approach. Participants emphasized the importance of authentic storytelling, symbolism in design, and usable green space — not just commemoration.

There were moving stories shared about the CBA building: the smell of incense, the pictures of elders, and its role as a haven in a hostile world. The design team committed to honouring these memories with subtlety and integrity, ensuring the site is both reflective and alive with new purpose.

A Community Amenity and Cultural Hub

Adjacent to the park will be a 3,350-square-foot indoor community space, provided by Jago Development and owned by the City. This building, known as “The Verandah,” is designed to blur the line between inside and out — hosting events, art, education programs, and cultural celebrations that activate the park and draw the public in.

Ideas proposed for the space include cooking demonstrations, workshops with local artists, public tours in partnership with the New Westminster Museum, and even outdoor classroom programs. In every aspect, the park is being envisioned not as a monument, but as a living, breathing community gift.

From Dog Park to Destination

Until recently, 824 Agnes Street functioned as a temporary off-leash dog area. As construction moves forward, the City is relocating this use, with Simcoe Park emerging as the most viable option after community consultation. While beloved by pet owners, the decision to prioritize a commemorative green space reflects a broader vision for a more connected, inclusive downtown.

Looking Ahead

With demolition of the old structures now complete, and groundwork underway, 824 Agnes Street Park is poised to become a landmark space for New Westminster — a modern oasis with historic soul.

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