“Reclaiming Our Heritage: How Community Visions Are Reviving Beloved Landscapes” – The Environment Journal

By Justin Hains and Tracey L’Espérance

Squamish, British Columbia, is nestled between stunning mountains and the ocean. This vibrant town is famous for its outdoor trails, adventure activities, and rich wildlife. At the same time, it boasts a lively arts scene, making it an exciting place to live and explore.

Historically, this area was home to a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant that operated from the 1960s until the 1990s. The plant produced essential chemicals for the pulp and paper industry, but it also left behind mercury contamination. After shutting down, the province stepped in to clean up the site. By 2005, a Certificate of Compliance was issued for part of the land, allowing for residential development, while the rest of the area was set for long-term monitoring.

For many years, the Oceanfront Peninsula was closed off, limiting community access to Howe Sound. However, in 2004, the District of Squamish took over the land and began planning for its redevelopment. The goal was to create a vibrant community space that included homes, businesses, parks, boat launches, and public access to the shoreline.

Welcome Gate by James Harry at the headland. Credit: Tracey L’Espérance

Fast forward two decades, and a remarkable change is happening at this former brownfield site. The Oceanfront Squamish project, spanning 60 acres, is a collaboration between developer Matthews West, Squamish Nation, and the District of Squamish. This master-planned development aims to redefine mixed-use spaces by blending homes, businesses, shops, parks, and walking trails. Ultimately, it will provide 2,500 new homes for about 7,000 residents and create 2,500 jobs in the area.

Recently, Sp’akw’us Feather Park, a part of this project, received a Brownie Award for its community engagement efforts.

Featured image: Sp’akw’us Feather Park grand opening, August 2024. Credit: Jonathan Evans