As Port Moody grows, city officials are looking for ways to expand public play areas. One idea now under review is a new Strata Playground Grant program that would support upgrades to aging play structures on private land, especially those still used by the public.
On July 22, the city council backed a proposal asking staff to study how such a grant could work. Councillors Callan Morrison and Samantha Agtarap introduced the motion. Their goal is to help strata corporations repair or replace old playgrounds that were built as part of past developments.
Morrison said the move is about keeping playgrounds fun, safe, and relevant for kids.
“Playgrounds get old and worn out,” he said. “We want to give straws a reason to upgrade them instead of letting them fall apart.”
Strata playgrounds often appear as part of development agreements, especially in dense areas. Although they are on private property, they are usually open to the public. However, once these playgrounds age, there is no legal way for the city to require upgrades or repairs.
Morrison pointed to the Newport Village playground, built two decades ago, as a key example. While it still functions, some areas are worn, and the equipment could use updates to remove safety hazards.
“This isn’t to blame stratas,” he added. “Many of them are trying to keep up with repairs, but with rising costs, it’s hard to prioritize full replacements.”
Agtarap supported the idea as a way to give stratas a small push in the right direction. She explained that the city would not cover the full cost of repairs or replacements. Instead, the city could offer grants to make refurbishment more affordable when a playground nears the end of its life.
“The purpose is to support them just enough to keep these spaces available and useful,” Agtarap said.
She also noted that the idea matches several goals in the city’s long-term plans, which focus on adding and improving public parks and green areas. As Port Moody becomes denser, every small park counts.
“We need more parks,” she said. “These mini playgrounds alone can’t meet all needs, but they help.”
Councillor Kyla Knowles agreed with the idea but raised a concern. She worried that some strata groups might delay upgrades if they expect city help later.
“I love neighborhood parks,” Knowles said. “But when this comes back to us, we need to look at how much we’re willing to spend and who qualifies.”
Councillor Haven Lurbiecki questioned the city’s role in the matter, saying these playgrounds were built as part of earlier deals. She asked whether it’s right for the city to fund upgrades to something that developers once provided as a public benefit.
City staff explained that maintenance and public access vary depending on when the development happened. Older playgrounds weren’t built to serve large numbers of people, while newer areas like Coronation Park now dedicate park space directly to the city.
“In key areas, we now ask that parks become city-owned,” said City Manager Kate Zanon. “That’s a change in how we negotiate with developers.”
Councillor Amy Dilworth suggested the city could go even further. She also proposed offering support to help stratas turn unused green space into new play areas.
“Right now, we’re only talking about upgrades,” she said. “But many older complexes have empty spaces that could be turned into active parks.”
Morrison noted that buying small plots of land to replace these parks is simply too costly. Working with stratas to co-fund repairs may be the best way to keep public play spaces open and safe as the city grows.
