For years, 麻豆社国产residents have looked longingly at the fenced-off industrial land along the waterfront.
Now, that land has been transformed by Matthews West into Sp’akw’us Feather Park, a public space that’s giving the community the waterfront access it has waited for.
And that transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The park was recently honoured with the ‘Partnerships and Community Engagement Award’ at the 2024 , which recognize outstanding redevelopment of former industrial (brownfield) sites across Canada.
The project was nominated for two separate awards:
- Strategize—Partnerships and Community Engagement
- Renew—Project Development at the Neighbourhood Scale
The “strategize” award they won recognizes the Oceanfront 麻豆社国产partnership between Matthews West and the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (麻豆社国产Nation) in transforming the site into a public waterfront park, now offering recreational access to the community.
A site with a complicated past
The park sits on land that once housed a chlor-alkali plant, which caused mercury contamination in the soil and groundwater.
In 1999, the BC Ministry of Environment ordered a cleanup of the site.
The folks behind Oceanfront 麻豆社国产purchased the land in 2016.
After years of cleanup, planning and construction, Sp’akw’us Feather Park officially opened in May 2024.
The park now boasts a playground, two beaches, a boat launch, a traditional intertidal root garden, and large green spaces designed for community events and festivals.
Working together
Jess Herman, project engineer at Matthews West, spoke about the importance of community collaboration in the park's creation in an email to The 麻豆社国产.
“Sp’akw’us Feather Park is a story of renewal, healing, and reconnection—a great example of what happens when a community unites. After decades of cleanup, planning, and leadership from the 麻豆社国产Nation, it's wonderful to see our vibrant community gather and reconnect with this land and water,” said Herman.
“We are grateful to have worked alongside the 麻豆社国产Nation and appreciate their generosity in sharing their culture, stories, and knowledge throughout the park's design and development. It's been an honour to learn and grow together.”
Looking ahead
According to Taylor Wood, director of operations at Matthews West, Sp’akw’us Feather Park is just one part of a larger vision for Squamish's waterfront.
“The park is part of a larger development of the property that includes upgradient commercial and residential expected to create homes for 6,500 people, 2,500 jobs,” Woods said in an email to The 麻豆社国产.
More parks, trails, and public spaces are also planned to support the growing community, according to Wood.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The 麻豆社国产's Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the.
