Named to honour the eagle, sp’akw’us, that soars higher than all birds, Sp’akw’us Feather Park has transformed Squamish’s waterfront. The park transforms a once inaccessible and contaminated former pulp mill into a vibrant 11-acre (approx. 4.45 hectares) public waterfront. Climate resilience, connection to place and Squamish Nation culture revitalization are at the heart of this project. Located at the head of Howe Sound and with views towards The Chief, Squamish’s famed granite monolith, the site’s stunning, natural beauty has drawn people here since time immemorial. The project celebrates its community’s needs and its spectacular setting, while addressing shoreline vulnerabilities to climate change. Defined by two constructed beaches and a tidal marsh, the park welcomes all – people, fish, and wildlife – to the water’s edge. Local, characteristic natural elements including granite boulders, basalt flagstone and large timber benches capture a simple, place-based aesthetic. Honouring the culture of Squamish Nation was a holistic driver: a playground co-designed with Indigenous youth, cultural gardens and local art are some of many Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural elements woven into the site. Collaboration among landscape architects, the developer Matthews West, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, local community groups and the District of Squamish drove the project’s success.
