You wouldn’t know it today, but where Whistler Village sits, at the foot of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, is in fact the region’s original dump site. Visionaries back in the ‘70s realized that the best place to build a resort town was where the toe of Blackcomb and Whistler mountains converged.
Similarly, the Lynn Creek/Maplewood area lies at the foot of Fromme and Seymour mountains, where Lynn Creek and Seymour Rivers converge. Railroad berms, freeways and heavy industry long since shaped the landscape – ironically Cutter Island Park, the last undeveloped estuarine area, hasn’t been an island for 100 years.
The current community input to shape the future of the Maplewood area is an opportunity to both preserve what is good and plan carefully for the future.
Maplewood Village is one of four town and village centres identified in our Official Community Plan (OCP). These centres, which include Lions Gate Village Centre, Lynn Valley Town Centre and Lynn Creek Town Centre are the areas where growth and renewal in the district are being focused.
Maplewood Village, the fourth and final centre, is envisioned to be a complete, balanced community, with local businesses providing local jobs. A variety of housing options, convenient access to transit, and walking and cycling infrastructure all contribute to the area’s livability.
An interconnected trail system linking the Seymour River, Windridge Park, Cutter Island Park, the Maplewood mudflats and their varied network of trails is a core part of the vision. It celebrates the area’s natural and historic significance, while capitalizing on its unique location near business, industry and the waterfront.
Last spring a three phase process to create an implementation plan and design guidelines for Maplewood Village was launched. The first phase involved local residents and stakeholders identifying guiding principles, opportunities and issues.
Phase two, currently underway, involves taking the feedback received and using it to shape design concepts which will refine land uses, open space ideas and the future transportation network.
As part of phase two, a two-day design charrette will occur in the fall. An interactive public open house to receive feedback on these concepts will occur on the second day. Hopefully many Maplewood residents and business owners will consider taking part.
The third and final phase of this process involves refining the options identified and preparing a draft Maplewood Village Centre Implementation Plan. The plan will be reviewed by members of the public and then brought forward to council for consideration in spring of 2017. This brings us one step closer to realizing the broad community vision outlined in the district’s 2011 Official Community Plan.
Learn more about Maplewood Village and how you can get involved at dnv.org/maplewood.
