P+A has been involved in this innovative award-winning project for more than 10 years, initially as members of the planning team, then preparing guidelines, and finally designing and detailing the entire public realm.
Garrison Crossing occupies the site of the former Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack, established in 1942. It was determined that the military heritage of the site, with an emphasis on family life on the base, should be strongly represented through the public realm design. The green network includes parks, greenways and a “Legacy Trail” with stone markers identifying important milestones and events that have occurred on the base over the past 70 years. This complete community is situated adjacent to the Canada Education Park, a significant employment centre, and a regional trail that runs for miles along the edge of the nearby Vedder River. Design innovations include extensive rainwater management, retention of significant numbers of existing mature trees, and adaptive reuse of existing military buildings.