DRAFT PARK DESIGN

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Yale Community Park Concept Design Survey. What we heard from the community helped inform the draft park concept design now being shared. We invite you to review the draft concept and share your feedback through the survey linked below. Your input will help guide refinements to the park concept as the project moves forward.

PROJECT UPDATE

• Clearing of invasive plant species has been completed, and a draft park design is now underway.
• Procurement for a metal picket fence around the park is in progress, with installation planned for early 2026.
• A survey on the draft park design will be released soon to gather community feedback on the proposed design.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Yale is a deeply rooted cultural landscape, rich in history and significant in the formation of British Columbia. For generations, the Fraser River has been at the heart of community life. Indigenous communities gathered along its banks for salmon fishing, drying, and trade, as well as for cultural and seasonal activities. During the gold rush, Yale continued as a lively hub and provisioning town for miners travelling along the Fraser. Chinese workers and merchants also played a vital role in Yale’s growth, contributing to its economy, building infrastructure, and leaving a lasting cultural legacy. Today, the town remains a special place for families and neighbours.

The proposed Yale Community Park builds on this history and aims to establish a safe, welcoming, and accessible public space. The park is intended to be a lasting community asset that provides opportunities for passive recreation and gathering, and reflects both the values of the community and Yale’s long standing cultural connection to the Fraser River. The plan for the park is rooted in a community focused vision: to balance environmental protection, historical interpretation, and public access in a way that enhances the overall community environment.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN

The creation of a waterfront community park in Yale has been part of the community’s long-term vision, as outlined in the Electoral Area B Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP identifies a park on Front Street as a community priority, with the goal of creating a space that both protects the natural environment and reflects the history of Yale. A waterfront park can provide enhanced opportunities for a community gathering space and scenic enjoyment. The OCP emphasizes that any park along the waterfront should retain the lands in a natural state and serve as a focus for protecting and interpreting the historic sites, the history of Yale and of the Province.