Four new parks to be built in southeast Vancouver

B.C. design firm space2placehas been picked byThe Vancouver Park Board to planfour new parks in the EastFraserLandsin southeast Vancouver.

The new parks will occupy a total of 7.8 acres, as part of the Vancouver Park Board'scommitment to create 25 acres of new parks and green space there.

Design work will take place through 2016 and2017 andconstruction will start in early 2018.

"We are hoping to complete the four parks by the end of 2018, and finish the whole project within the next 10 years," said JoeMcLeod, project manager ofEastFraserLands Community Plan.

The plan aims to meet the needs of the growing residential population in the EastFraserLands area.

According toMcLeod, about 10,000 additional residents are expected to move into that areain the next15 years.

"These new parks will enrich the entire community in and around the EastFraserLands, an area currently undergoing considerable urban development," saidPark Board Chair SarahKirby-Yung.

"Itwill alsoincreasehabitat for local birds and wildlife."

The funding for the design work comes from the2015-2018 Capital Plan.