Garden City Lands

Regenerate

Richmond, British Columbia | 2013-Present

Garden City Lands is 136 acres/55 hectares of undeveloped land in the heart of Richmond. Protected under the agricultural land reserve, this unique low-lying wetland was home to a rifle range in the early 1900s and later to communication towers for the National Coast Guard, but historically has been mostly unused. Now it is being reimagined as a park amenity with four distinct functions: urban agriculture, natural environment, community wellness, and active living, and place-making creating a multi-functional landscape.

Public Engagement Process

A dedicated website and social media presence was established to ensure the materials from the Ideas Fair and Open House were accessible, ongoing, and interactive. Over 3000 invitations to the events were directly mailed to surrounding residents for their input.

The synthesis of community aspirations and values gathered through public engagement provided clear and consistent messages. This, together with findings from inventory and environmental analysis provided a solid basis for the development of an overall vision adopted by City Council.

We combined feedback from the City, the public and engaged urban agriculture and bog experts into a balanced but buzz-worthy design strategy that celebrates the site’s history and supports ecological conservation while integrating urban agriculture, play opportunities, passive recreation, and imaginative public art.

Agricultural Land Reserve and Former LuLu Island Bog

The site falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve originally set up to preserve the limited agricultural land resource in BC. The map also shows the original location of the LuLu Island Bog and its adjacency to the urban core.

In designing the master plan, we faced the challenge of creating complementary spaces for two very different impressions of the land—agriculture and remnant bog—both of which are synonymous with the City of Richmond. By necessity these two impressions have to be separated, so we approached the problem as a yin and a yang—linking the landscapes via a series of curving pedestrian pathways and view corridors. By guiding visitors through the space, the design encourages them to learn about both the ecological importance of the bog and sustainable agricultural practices. Planned gathering spaces and demonstration plots make this a living lab that fosters community spirit and educational moments. Plans ensure it retains its role as a thriving habitat and significant carbon sink for Metro Vancouver.

Though still under construction, there is incredible public interest in the project and this unprecedented design. The City of Richmond foresees the project as a great legacy for the public to enjoy.

Off

Ideas Fair

Existing Site Conditions

Wetlands, particularly acidic bogs, perform the critical ecosystem service of carbon sequestration. Preserving and enhancing this ecological landscape typology is a priority as Richmond addresses climate change resilience.

Ecosystem Analysis and Ranking

Through extensive environmental analysis, it was discovered that the healthy bog communities were located to the east of the site. The hydrological barrier was proposed with careful consideration to the existing layout of the healthy plant communities within the bog.

Separate Hydrological Systems

The bog requires a continuous perched water table, while the agricultural lands require a well-draining system. To achieve these objectives, a hydrological barrier is required to separate the two land uses and their unique hydrological requirements.

Multi-Functional Landscape Framework

GCL is a multi-functional, infrastructural landscape which integrates agriculture, ecology, culture, and recreation. The transformational nature of GCL allows the landscape to evolve, adapt, and regenerate as regional priorities and conditions shift.

Multi-Functional Landscape Framework

The experiential quality of the Lands is equally important to its functionality as green infrastructure. Programming is embedded into each landscape framework, giving the visitor opportunities for both passive and active recreation, learning, gathering, and connecting with nature.

Urban Agriculture Layer

This living laboratory will showcase agro-ecology and research fields, textile fields, demonstration orchards, seasonal display fields, a fern forest, hedgerows, beetle banks, soil amendment trials, and onsite rainwater storage facilities. Programming will encourage residents to engage with the agricultural lands.

Natural Environment Layer

Nature can be enjoyed by the public from elevated boardwalks showcasing a preserved bog, a fen, sphagnum moss sanctuary, an enhanced watercourse, and an introduced naturalized successional woodlot consisting of a robust native plant list.

Cultural Landscape Layer

Marked with distinctive entry gateways, the transition from the urban grid to GCL is framed. The cultural experience is further informed with public art features, event fields, historic references, stormwater education, community gatherings, interpretive rest stops, and wayfinding.

Community Wellness Layer

GCL features adaptable social, environmental, agricultural and recreational amenities and programs, passive open spaces, an extensive trail network for both pedestrians and cyclists with connections to regional cycling trails, rest stops, event fields, and a central community hub.

Collaborators
City of Richmond
Tetra Tech
Kerr Wood Leidal
Diamondhead
Pechet Studio
BTY
Nemetz Engineering
Richard Sims
Cityspaces for Public Engagement