Downs Park ARPA Improvements

The Downs Neighborhood Park (3217 NE 62nd Ave.) is getting new features to make it more comfortable and welcoming for the community. This 3.2-acre park serves the Bagley Downs neighborhood in central Vancouver and is part of the City’s Naturespaces program, which improves and restores green spaces in the area.

Project overview

The improvements at The Downs Park are being funded through Fourth Plain for All, a City plan to invest over $25 million into central Vancouver neighborhoods near Fourth Plain Boulevard. This funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The project team worked with local community members to develop a plan that includes various investments in the Fourth Plain area, and upgrades at The Downs Park were part of this plan.

The Fourth Plain for All Investment Strategy Committee identified four key improvements for the park:

• Picnic Shelter: A new shelter with a “leaky roof” design that will provide shade on sunny days and help prevent unauthorized use during rainy weather.
• Half-Court Basketball: A basketball half-court will offer fun for all skill levels, and the paved area can also be used for other types of play.
• Irrigation System: New irrigation will make the lawn area more inviting and comfortable for outdoor activities during the warmer months.
• Security Lighting: New lighting on the east side of the park will improve visibility and help keep the park safe after dark.

These improvements represent a $540,000 investment in The Downs Neighborhood Park.

Neighborhood involvement

Now that the park improvements are planned and funding is in place through Fourth Plain for All, park planners want to hear from neighbors about where the new features should go in the park.

Thank you to everyone who took the survey to identify the location for the new park features, which closed on Jan. 20. Results from the survey will be shared soon.