Smithe and Richards Urban Park | Matthew Thomson

SMITHE AND RICHARDS DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARK
Prior to founding Matthew Thomson Design (MTD), Matthew led the design of a new Public Park in the heart of one of Vancouver’s most densely populated downtown neighborhoods.

Growing into a fully integrated team of planners, community engagement specialists, sustainability experts, engineers, landscape architects and architects, Matthew led the design team at DIALOG as it grew and morphed in response to the early and ongoing engagements with both Vancouver Park Board staff and City Departments, as well as Public and Stakeholder groups.

With early analysis underway, the project team designed and orchestrated a thorough public and stakeholder engagement process which shared 4 park concepts, and culminated in strong community support for the preferred conceptual design option. Over the course of the conceptual design close to a 1000 public participants were engaged and provided surveyed inputs.

The resulting Park design provides a number of amenities and diverse experiences, and invites the park users to explore and engage with the space in a variety of ways, from a small cafe kiosk that activates a sunny events plaza at the south end of the park, to a destination play area in the centre of the Park. Bridging the entire park and providing unique vantage points to the programmed and passive activities below, is a universally accessible elevated walkway with netted hammocks providing informal hangout spots, and allowances for interactive installations to be suspended from the underside of the structure. There are also 6 'sky-frames' as light masts designed to hold seasonal lighting or sculptural installations curated by the city and future partners.

The much anticipated Construction of the Park is underway by the Smith Bros & Wilson, and is expected to be completed in 2021