Mayor says Jim Lorimer Park upgrade reflects Burnaby’s long-term parks plan

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley says the upgraded Jim Lorimer Park is an example of the city’s long-term strategy to expand and improve park space as neighbourhoods grow.

In a letter to residents, Hurley said the Brentwood park’s new play tower, slide, swings, spinners and toddler area have drawn regular use since opening. The upgrade is part of Burnaby’s 25-year Making Life Better: Parks, Recreation and Culture Plan.

The city says it has 145 parks and about 3.5 hectares of parkland per 1,000 residents, compared with a Metro Vancouver municipal average of 3.1 hectares. Its stated goal is for residents in higher-density areas to be within a five-minute walk of a park and those in lower-density areas within 10 minutes.

Hurley said new parkland acquisition is funded through development cost charges and parkland dedications or cash-in-lieu, which are restricted to park purposes. In southeast Brentwood, the city is working with Concord Pacific on a 10-acre community park that will be transferred to the City of Burnaby when complete.

The Jim Lorimer Park work also included drainage improvements and a higher playground elevation to address floodplain conditions. The city cited accessible surfacing, paths, seating and inclusive play features as considerations in playground upgrades.