Prince Rupert’s Flagship Park

Tourism Prince Rupert has formed a partnership with the City of Prince Rupert to revitalize Mariner’s Park, Prince Rupert’s primary downtown public park. We are actively working with the community to develop detailed concept designs for the park and seeking funding opportunities as they arise.

Project Goals:

  1. Create a flagship public green space that will support community quality of life and strengthen the visitor economy.
  2. Create a memorable and noteworthy landmark that will invoke resident pride and attract visitor attention.
  3. Draw visitors up from Cow Bay and into the downtown core, increasing exposure for local businesses in Prince Rupert’s downtown.

Specific activities that could fall under this project include:

  • Rejuvenating existing park infrastructure and replacing existing uneven paving.
  • Installing an iconic landmark that will draw visitors up to the park and become emblematic for Prince Rupert (think: Amsterdam or Toronto giant letters, Dubai frame, Whistler Olympic rings – but unique to Prince Rupert!)
  • Creating a covered event amphitheatre that will support public events and performances.
  • Replacing ageing park infrastructure such as chain link fence and inaccessible park seating.
  • Creating a flexible event space that will enable locals to showcase arts & culture.
  • Creating opportunities for local artists to contribute to the project.

Guiding Principles

Community-First

This destination development project has multiple principles steering our work:

  • Establishment of the Park as the Heart of Civic Life
  • Focus on Sustainability
  • Highlighting Local Character and the Connection to Coastal Life
  • Connection to Ts’msyen Culture

Project Status

What’s Happening Now

Early community engagement has been completed, with early concept designs developed. Funding applications to continue work on this project were unfortunately denied in early 2023. The project remains on pause as we seek additional funding opportunities.

In-Person Community Engagement Events

In-person workshops were held on Thursday April 13th and Friday April 14th at Lax Kw’alaams Community Hall, 824 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert.

Residents of Prince Rupert were invited to contribute ideas and thoughts around the future look and feel of Mariners Park. Community workshops explored the future of Mariners Park with creative exercises facilitated by Mark Busse, an engagement specialist and facilitator well known for his community organizing work and as host of CreativeMornings Vancouver.

Hosted by Ceilidh Marlow, Executive Director of Tourism Prince Rupert, as well as the project consultants: Andrew Lockhart of Atmospheric Perspective Architecture and Chris McBride of Hapa Collaborative Landscape Architecture.

Online Survey

Tourism Prince Rupert also completed an online survey, with over 200 responses, for those Rupert resident who were unable to attend in person.

Project Consultants

Atmospheric Perspective Architecture
Hapa Collaborative Landscape Architecture
Mark Busse, Engagement Specialist

Project Boundary

This figure illustrates the scope areas of the project site.

Tell us what you think!

We welcome all community feedback.