Klee Wyck Park in West Vancouver is on the cusp of a thoughtful transformation. Rooted in deep heritage and a history of public service, the 6.2-acre site in the Cedardale neighbourhood is being reimagined as a revitalized community park shaped by local voices. Recent demolition, design studies, and broad community consultation have laid the groundwork for a new chapter in the park’s legacy — one that honors its past while prioritizing inclusivity, recreation, and natural beauty.
A Legacy of Giving and Greenery
Located at 200 Keith Road near the Capilano River, Klee Wyck Park has long held significance in West Vancouver — not just for its lush, rustic estate landscape, but for the story behind it. The property was the longtime home of Dr. Ethlyn Trapp, a pioneering cancer researcher and humanitarian who lived there from 1942 until her passing in 1972. She named it “Klee Wyck” after her friend, artist Emily Carr, borrowing the nickname given to Carr by an Indigenous community — meaning “laughing one.”
In 1960, Dr. Trapp gifted the estate to the District of West Vancouver with a binding agreement: the land must be used only for recreation, gardening, or other community purposes, and the name Klee Wyck must remain. That vision endured for decades, with the property serving as a site for arts and culture programming and nursery operations.
However, the house and surrounding structures fell into disrepair after years of underinvestment. By 2018, structural assessments confirmed they were beyond their useful life, with asbestos and mold posing significant safety concerns. In 2021, the District demolished the house, studio, and greenhouses, and began restoring the landscape — clearing invasive plants and reopening the park’s scenic vistas.
Reimagining the Park: What’s on the Table
Now, guided by both history and public input, the District of West Vancouver is exploring a range of improvements designed to enhance Klee Wyck Park’s community value while honoring Dr. Trapp’s original intent.
1. Community Gardens and Outdoor Learning Spaces
A consistent theme in public engagement was strong support for community gardens, tying back to Dr. Trapp’s original gift and the site’s legacy as a plant nursery. There’s also interest in integrating an outdoor classroom or covered shelter for educational programming and community gatherings.
2. Trails, Gardens, and Heritage Landscaping
Proposals include weaving new trails through "garden rooms" — landscaped pockets of native and introduced plants, possibly featuring public art or interpretive signs. There’s an emphasis on accessibility, with gravel and asphalt paths connecting to the Capilano Pacific Trail where feasible. Restoring and enhancing historic rhododendron and azalea gardens is also a top priority.
3. Amenities for All Ages
Residents voiced support for a variety of features: a picnic shelter, children’s play areas, sports courts (especially pickleball), a viewing deck near the river, and even a fenced off-leash dog area. Many of these elements would be designed with low operational costs and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in mind.
4. Gatehouse: Restore or Retire?
The small gatehouse, the only structure left standing, remains a point of debate. While surveys suggest potential uses like storage, a meeting space, or even a washroom, in-person engagement showed little community interest in preserving it. If it stays, options include assigning it to a community gardens group or even a caretaker role.
5. Access, Parking, and Circulation
With current access via a narrow driveway, the District is studying options for a wider, more visible entrance off Keith Road. A small parking lot within the park may help reduce street congestion. The goal is to create better sight lines and encourage foot and bicycle traffic, with potential storage for bikes also in the plan.
Listening to the Community
The public engagement process — held from April to May 2022 — drew hundreds of interactions through surveys, virtual meetings, and pop-up events in the park. Survey results showed high value placed on picnic areas, washrooms, and community gardens. Feedback also underscored the importance of accessibility, Indigenous heritage representation, and thoughtful, low-impact development.
Despite occasional concerns about cost and maintenance, many residents expressed enthusiasm for turning Klee Wyck into a vibrant, multi-use space — a place where beauty, history, and recreation can flourish side by side.
What’s Next?
The District is now synthesizing the input into a set of guiding principles and key design objectives. These will shape the next stages of planning and cost estimation, before being presented to Council for direction. Volunteer opportunities, such as invasive plant removal or future community gardening, are expected to follow in phased rollouts.
The District’s ongoing commitment to preserving Dr. Trapp’s vision — while adapting the park to modern community needs — positions Klee Wyck to become a standout example of how public spaces can grow with their neighbourhoods.
Curious how the Klee Wyck transformation could impact life in Cedardale or connect you more deeply to West Vancouver’s green spaces? We’re tracking updates closely to keep our clients informed and inspired. Want to stay in the loop?
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