District of West Vancouver is inviting the community to meet staff to discuss plans to learn more about the district’s plan to improve Klee Wyck Park. The in-person event will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 10 am to 12 pm at 200 Keith Road.
The 6.2-acre property was donated to the District in 1960 by Dr. Ethlyn Trapp, under an agreement that the District would use the property for recreation, nursery garden, playground, or other community use. Dr. Trapp lived on the property until her death in 1972, and she named the property “Klee Wyck” in honour of her friend, the renowned artist Emily Carr.
The property has heritage significance for both the extensive gardens and the house. The house was significant for its association with Dr. Ethlyn Trapp and Emily Carr. The property is significant for the rustic estate setting, the mature landscape, proximity to Capilano River, and the landscape design that includes many unusual introduced plant specimens.
Klee Wyck Park was considered and rejected as a site for a consolidated arts facility because it is in a remote, quiet residential neighbourhood, and has poor access for high volume visitation. On December 7 last year, the council received a report recommending the removal of four poor-condition greenhouses, the house, and studio, and to improve the park.
Council is now exploring the options for a potential community-use facility to support future programming aligned with the restoration of the site. District also plans to install interpretive signage to commemorate Dr. Ethlyn Trapp, as well as create pathways through the gardens featuring the historical plantings.
It also plans to review the trail network in the area and connections to Klee Wyck, and consult the community to determine the level of interest in community gardens. District is also organizing a virtual information meeting, which will take place on April 21 from 7 to 8:30 pm, and residents can click here to register.
In addition to the information meetings, District also has a Klee Wyck Park improvement survey that is now open until Monday, May 2 at 4 pm.
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