Project Background

What's Happening?

We want your ideas to help create a new, long-term future for the farm space at Queen's Park!

While we filled the farm space during Summer 2021 and 2022 with temporary programming, the longer-term future of the farm is open for new ideas.

The Queen’s Park Farm has been a well-used and loved component of Queen’s Park. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the farm was closed to the public for the 2020 season.

Before the pandemic, New Westminster Parks and Recreation started re-considering the long-standing use of the space as a petting farm. With current animal welfare practices, and growing numbers of visitors to the farm, it has become clear that the farm space is not large enough to comfortably house the type of livestock farm-goers have enjoyed. The comfort and care of the animals has always been the City’s top priority. Our farm staff have always provided the best possible care to our animals, but we know going forward that the current space has become insufficient.

The pause in farm operations due to COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to try out alternative, COVID-19-friendly programming in the space, and start a community conversation about what this space could be in the future. Summer 2021 programming included everything from a drop-in outdoor art gallery and outdoor concert series, to registered free and paid programming for various ages.

During COVID-19, the community has told us about the importance of outdoor public spaces and parks, the need for covered, year-round outdoor spaces, public spaces for community connection, and support for those who are food insecure (COVID-19 Recovery: Public Engagement Summary Report, Nov. 2020).

We want to know how the farm space can be positioned in the future to better support these priorities and other community interests.

How can I participate?

Phase 1 engagement took place in 2021 and was about including the community in brainstorming and demonstrating potential future uses for the farm space.

The City plans to re-engage with the community during fall 2022 to share two concepts for the space. Stay tuned for more information and dates for in-person and online opportunities to share your thoughts.

How will my input be used?

Community input from Phase 1 engagement is currently being used to develop concept plans and options for the future of the farm space. In fall 2022, the City will launch Phase 2 of engagement to request feedback on the proposed options and concepts. This feedback will be used to help finalize a plan for the future of the space.

In early 2023, City staff will present to City Council a long-term future proposal for the former Queen’s Park Farm, for consideration.