Master plans envision enhanced waterfront access, upgraded amenities, and resilient green spaces over the next decade
Two of Port Moody’s most beloved waterfront parks—Rocky Point Park and Old Orchard Park—are on the cusp of transformation. The City of Port Moody has entered the final stage of a multi-year project to develop comprehensive master plans that will shape the future of both parks for the next ten years.
Driven by population growth, aging infrastructure, and growing demand on park space, the initiative aims to balance recreation with conservation, while making the parks more inclusive, accessible, and resilient to climate impacts.
Vision for the Next Decade
Old Orchard Park, a peaceful beachfront retreat popular with families, will see upgrades that preserve its natural charm while improving accessibility and amenities. The park’s new vision centers around calm, connection, and conservation—enhancing the visitor experience while protecting sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Rocky Point Park, in contrast, is set to grow as a bustling community hub and regional destination. With its rich cultural and recreational offerings, the park will be reshaped to support a broader range of activities year-round, from festivals and water play to quiet moments by the water.
These plans are built around a shared commitment to inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and truth and reconciliation. Six guiding principles—resilient ecosystems, enhanced waterfront connection, high-quality experience, inclusive design, connectivity, and reconciliation—will inform every step of the transformation.
A Community-Driven Process
The city’s approach has been deeply rooted in community engagement, unfolding in four phases between 2022 and 2024.
Phase 1 began in mid-2022 with open houses and surveys to gather public values and priorities.
Phase 2, in fall 2023, invited feedback on draft design concepts.
Phase 3, held in spring 2024, focused on presenting refined design concepts for public review as a whole.
Phase 4, now underway, will culminate in City Council’s consideration of final master plans in fall 2024.
Youth input was also spotlighted, with a dedicated open house in May 2024. This effort reflects the city’s broader commitment to shaping parks that serve residents of all ages.
*Photos by city of Port Moody
What’s Coming to Old Orchard Park
Old Orchard Park’s master plan proposes several near-term upgrades, designed to be implemented as a single project within the next two to three years:
Meander Path: A gently sloped, fully accessible trail connecting the Shoreline Trail to the beach, designed with planting pockets and stairs for alternate routes.
Playground Redesign: A new, nature-themed play area featuring hill slides and climbing structures that make use of the park’s slope.
Integrated Washroom and Picnic Shelter: A small, mid-park building embedded into the slope, topped with a roof deck for scenic picnicking.
Habitat Islands: Strategically placed in the mudflats to reduce beach erosion and enhance marine habitats.
Lounge Deck and Outdoor Shower: A beach-level platform for sunbathing, relaxing, and rinsing off after a swim.
Improved Lawn and Drop-Off Zone: Enhanced open spaces for picnicking, with a reimagined drop-off area that may accommodate seasonal food trucks.
These upgrades aim to preserve the intimate, nature-oriented character of the park while accommodating growing community use.
Rocky Point Park’s “Big Moves”
For the city’s flagship park, the final concept integrates five strategic goals—or “Big Moves”—to enhance access, recreation, events, and ecological resilience:
Improved Access and Pathways: Better bike and pedestrian flow, expanded paths, and improved connections to transit and nearby developments.
Revamped Youth and Play Zones: A larger, more inclusive play area, upgraded spray park, and an improved youth zone.
Central Green Redesign: Enhanced event space with new viewpoints, better stage access, and clearer transitions between areas.
Reimagined Waterfront: A signature boardwalk experience, small watercraft amenities, and walkways extending over sensitive mudflats.
Climate Adaptation Features: Gradual shoreline elevation, tidal marsh feasibility studies, and increased tree cover to provide shade and biodiversity.
While many of the improvements are planned over time, the city envisions a phased rollout to keep the park open during construction. The long-debated future of the Rocky Point Pool is also addressed: it will remain in the short term, but may eventually be repurposed depending on broader recreation planning and feasibility studies.
Looking Ahead
Port Moody’s comprehensive park planning reflects a city evolving with purpose. With final plans slated for Council review in fall 2024, residents can look forward to waterfront parks that are more welcoming, sustainable, and equipped for the future.
Curious how these changes might shape your weekends at the waterfront—or the value of homes nearby? We’re keeping a close eye on these transformations to help our clients stay ahead of the curve. Want to be one of them?