Squamish Nation Waterfront Greenway

NEW! Official Unveiling of Squamish Nation Waterfront Greenway and North Shore Spirit Trail Logo

On February 7, the City and the Squamish Nation celebrated the completion of the Waterfront Greenway portion of the North Shore Spirit Trail with a special opening ceremony and official logo unveiling.

This portion of the Spirit Trail will eventually link the Squamish Nation's Mosquito Creek Marina with the City's Kings Mill Walk and Waterfront Park.

Project History

Officially opened in February 2009, the Squamish Nation Waterfront Greenway is the result of a strong working relationship between the City and the Squamish Nation.

Under a formal Waterfront Trail Agreement, the Squamish Nation will own and maintain the greenway. Financing for the Squamish Nation Waterfront Greenway was shared jointly. Construction was divided accordingly, with the Squamish Nation responsible for demolition, site preparation, infrastructure, and building relocation and maintenance, while the City was responsible for trail and landscape construction and funding to implement a significant public art piece as part of the City's Public Art Program.

This 300-metre-long leg of the North Shore Spirit Trail links the Squamish Nation's recently expanded Mosquito Creek Marina with the City's Kings Mill Walk and Waterfront Park. Members of both communities as well as visitors to the area can now enjoy this shared use trail.

Greenway Highlights

• The greenway is 300-metres in length and averages 4 metres wide
• High efficiency compact fluorescent lighting is used to light the trail
• The greenway is designed for accessible shared use among pedestrians, cyclists and people who use wheeled mobility devices
• The eastern end of the trail is marked by the "Gateway to Ancient Wisdom", a contemporary stainless steel and red cedar sculpture that greets visitors as they enter Mosquito Creek Marina/Squamish Nation land from the North Vancouver waterfront
• There are six seating areas with custom benches that feature approximately 15 carved spindle whorls created by Squamish Nation artists
• The planting design along the greenway protects all significant trees and includes 43 shade trees and 4,000 indigenous shrubs, grasses and perennials

Gateway to Ancient Wisdom

In September 2008, at a special event held in collaboration with the Squamish Nation, the City unveiled the Gateway to Ancient Wisdom to North Shore Spirit Trail users. Created by Wade Baker, this major public art piece is a contemporary stainless steel and red cedar sculpture that represents the concept of "entering traditional territory", welcoming trail users as they enter Mosquito Creek Marina and Squamish Nation land from the North Vancouver waterfront.

The artistic design concept behind the piece reflects the historical architecture of the Coast Salish people. The "Big House", where the Chief and several extended family members traditionally lived, had houseposts in front of the entrance doors. The two Thunderbirds on either side of the Gateway mirror the twin peaks of the North Shore Mountains or the Twin Sisters. To the Coast Salish people, the Thunderbird is considered the most powerful of all the mythical creatures, one that can fly to the sun and back, bringing ancient knowledge from the Creator. The two Thunderbirds represent a male and female chief; a balance of leadership.