Thank you to everyone who participated in phase 1 engagement!

Phase 1 engagement was open Mar 27 - Apr 15, 2025 and focused on what playground features and park amenities the community would like to see in Volker Park. An online survey (also available in print) was offered.

Learnings

Input was collected from approximately 545 survey submissions, reflecting the top requested playground features, favourite equipment types and top requested amenities, including a spray park. Refer to the Phase 1 Graphic Summary below for more learnings.

Opportunities to Participate

The community was invited to provide input through a survey (available online and in print).

Promotion

We promoted the engagement through the following channels: a postcard mailout to over 3,000 residences located near Volker Park, a printed newspaper ad, social media posts, emails to over 2,300 eConnect newsletter subscribers, signs posted along pedestrian routes/locations, email to nearby daycare facilities.

Engagement Level

The engagement for phase 1 was at the "involve" level of the International Association for Public Participation's (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation and the City of Maple Ridge Engagement Framework.

Involve: Inviting the public to suggest new alternatives and work closely with them to ensure their concerns and aspirations are understood and considered. We will also provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.

Learn more about how we use the spectrum as a foundation for community engagement here.

Thank you to everyone who participated in engagement phase 2. The community was invited from Oct 29 - Nov 16, 2025 to share their feedback on the concept plans for the park, playground, spray park, and other key features.

Summary of What We Learned

Community feedback showed strong support for many of the proposed improvements, including:

• Playground: High approval of the new playground design, with requests for additional play features for children aged 2–5yrs and more swing options.
• Spray Park: Continued strong support for a spray park consistent with feedback received in phase 1 engagement, and recognition for more spray park access in west Maple Ridge.
• Seating and Picnic Areas: Support for additional picnic tables, benches, and seat walls particularly near play areas and along pathways.
• Trees: Protecting existing trees was a priority for respondents. All existing trees will be retained, and additional trees will be planted as part of the project.

Key Concerns Raised

Participants also shared the following key concerns that the City continues to review, monitor and address:

• Traffic and Road Safety: Traffic volumes and speeding on 123 Avenue.
• Parking: Limited neighbourhood parking and the potential for increased traffic congestion.
• Park Character: Additional amenities could increase the usage and passive character of Volker Park.
• Unsanctioned Uses: Potential for loitering, vandalism, and other unwanted activities.

Summary Graphic

Opportunities to Participate

The community was invited to review the proposed Volker Park concept plans and provide feedback through:

• Survey: Was open Oct 29 - Nov 16, 2025 online and available in print.
• Open House: Thursday, November 13, 4:30-7pm, Laity View Elementary School, 21023 123 Avenue

Outreach included notices in the local newspaper, signage at the park, and on City social media channels.

We appreciate all the community members that took time out of their day to join us at our open house and provide feedback through the survey.

Engagement Level

The engagement for phase 2 was at the "consult" level of the International Association for Public Participation's (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation and the City of Maple Ridge Engagement Framework.

Consult: Obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives, or decision.

Learn more about how we use the spectrum as a foundation for community engagement here.

The design of the park improvements has now been finalized and construction is scheduled to begin at the end of January.

Here is a site rendering. For additional images of the key features, refer to the images near the top of this page.

Engagement Level

The engagement for phase 3 will be at the "inform" level of the International Association for Public Participation's (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation and the City of Maple Ridge Engagement Framework.

Inform: Provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities, or solutions.

Learn more about how we use the spectrum as a foundation for community engagement here.