Oppenheimer Park

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Oppenheimer Park has a storied past and has served numerous roles in the community throughout its 112-year history.  This 2.5 acre urban park has always been a place of personal and cultural expression. It is a place where marginalized communities have found common ground to share their heritage and culture with friends and neighbours. In recent years Oppenheimer Park had fallen in disrepair, which exacerbated the social challenges of the park and surrounding neighbourhood. The park faced safety concerns, poor usage, a lack of community ownership, and little ecological value.  

The design team began to address these complex challenges by undertaking a comprehensive public engagement process, which was carried out within the park itself for maximum inclusivity. Space2place worked with park users, City staff, cultural organizations, local business owners, and other stakeholder groups to understand the concerns and issues facing the site. The design team was then able to develop a vision and alternate concepts that reflected the history, social significance and recreational needs of this otherwise under-served community.   

The end result is a flexible and sustainable park space that hosts numerous recreational events and cultural events throughout the year. Sustainability measures included the re-use and amendment of all on-site soils, and the selection of highly durable materials with good longevity. Simple design measures - including improved sight lines, low maintenance requirements, increased tree canopy coverage, and new areas for gathering - have created a framework for positive park usage. Oppenheimer Park has become a positive public amenity in the city of Vancouver and it’s transformation has been a catalyst for wider changes throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.