Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Burnaby will be marking the golden jubilee of the Aga Khan with a new 13-acre park in the Central Valley.

The “contemplative nature park” will be built on city-owned land but funded, designed and constructed by the Aga Khan Development Network, said city parks director Dave Ellenwood.

“Right now we’re just very excited at the prospect of working with such a prominent organization.”

The park was agreed upon when the Aga Khan met with Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan last month as part of an eight-day visit to Canada to mark the 50th anniversary of his becoming Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Burnaby was chosen as the home to the first Shia Muslim settlement in Canada over 35 years ago and is the location of the award-winning Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre on Canada Way, the first such purpose-built building in the country.

The park will be a triangle-shaped parcel of land across from 8-Rinks, bounded by the Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana (at Sprott Street and Kensington Avenue), Highway 1 and Sprott.

The property is currently covered in brush. While the concept plan won’t likely be completed until spring or summer, indications are some brush will be removed, and the park will feature preserved wetlands, water features and trails, Ellenwood said.

Construction should begin within the next year and a half.

While the value of the Aga Khan’s gift will not be known until design plans are completed, Ellenwood noted that he recently contributed about $50 million for a facility in Toronto, although that involved construction of buildings, which are not planned for the Burnaby project.

“We are honoured to create this park on the occasion of His Highness’s Golden Jubilee as the City of Burnaby’s recognition and thanks to the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community for making Burnaby home,” said Corrigan in a press release.

“We have benefitted from their enterprise and contributions to civil society. We are looking forward to partnering with the Aga Khan who has tremendous experience in the area of building community spaces to enhance the already rich mosaic of Burnaby.”