The Village of Slocan Waterfront: A Community-Centered Transformation

The Village of Slocan’s waterfront redesign reflects a commitment to preserving community identity while celebrating its unique sense of place. Guided by the vision to “promote cohesive placemaking and reinforce Slocan’s character,” the project involved extensive public engagement. Jason Jones of LARCH Landscape Architecture and Fraser Blyth of Selkirk Planning and Design worked closely with residents through charrettes, meetings, and site walkthroughs to ensure the design reflected Slocan’s values and history.

A new breakwater protects against spring flooding from glacier runoff while providing an accessible spot to enjoy stunning lake and mountain views. Grassy areas and landscaped zones replaced gravel to create inviting recreational spaces. “We were going for a timeless design to make it seem like the site furnishings were modern yet felt they had been in the space for a long time. I think we accomplished that goal,” said Jones.

Maglin’s site furniture, including Pixel seating with integrated planters, accessible tables, classic benches, and bike racks, enhances the waterfront’s functionality and aesthetic. Jones explained, “Developing a relationship with Jackie (Nielsen, Territory Manager) was the main reason for choosing to work with Maglin on this project.” The natural wood finishes reflect Slocan’s logging and railroad heritage while blending seamlessly with Valhalla Provincial Park’s stunning backdrop.

Completed in 2020, Phase 1 sets the stage for further revitalization, including the adjacent Springer Creek Mill site. As Jones concluded, “We were able to translate community character into built form, and the community is now very proud to show off a space that represents their values.”

Project Collaborators