The District of Squamish and developer Matthews West have unveiled the Sp’akw’us Feather Park. The oceanfront 11-acre park is described as the “culmination of a vision 20 years in the making.”
“While we still have some work to finalize on the park, we didn’t want to wait any longer to share this space with our community. Squamish has been an oceanfront town without access to the water for too long,” said John Matthews, president of Matthews West.
Sp’akw’us Feather Park transforms the tip of the Oceanfront Peninsula into a beautiful and vibrant community gathering space. The oceanfront park features multiple significant art pieces by local artists including James Harry and Maskull Lassere, a playground designed in collaboration with Indigenous youth that retells Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw stories of the land; slackline posts; lawn area designed for a sound stage; and cultural gardens with an area for outdoor classes.
Over the past four years, this area has been a hub of construction activity. Eleven acres of land have been reclaimed, extensive environmental remediation conducted, and the site has been elevated to address sea level rise concerns. The park not only helps mitigate future sea level rise but includes a seismic berm to further stabilize the peninsula.
“This gem of an outdoor space is the first physical fruit of our partnership with Matthews West, and we know it will be enjoyed by the Squamish community for years to come” said Sxwixwtn, Wilson Williams, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw spokesperson and council member. “I’m particularly proud of the work of our Squamish mén̓men (children) in designing the playground based on an important Squamish oral history – this important piece of cultural recognition will remind everyone who visits that they are on Squamish land.”
Work on the park will continue into the summer, including the installation of Welcome Gate, the final art piece by Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw artist James Harry.
The grand opening of Sp’akw’us Feather Park will take place on August 17, coinciding with the annual Sp’akw’us Feather Shakedown in partnership with Squamish Arts’ annual Squamish Arts Festival.
“This is an incredible milestone that is both a finish line and beginning of a complete community with housing, walkways, greenspaces and industries that will leave a legacy for our community today, and for many generations to come,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford.
Sp’akw’us Feather Park is part of the 60-acre Oceanfront Squamish mixed-use master plan development under Oceanfront Squamish Developments, which is a partnership between Matthews West and Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw. The development will include future retail, office, and residential spaces.
With the park complete, the next milestone will be the opening of the Presentation Centre in September, followed by House of Lager in December.
