An overlooked, in-between space along East Vancouver's Main Street Corridor has been transformed into a neighbourhood conversation piece and important social gathering spot. The site of the former Palm Dairy milk bar, Mid Main Park features long curvaceous benches, a central playmound, bubble-inspired paving, and robust buffer planting from Main Street traffic. The park's signature is the bright red “bendy-straw” trellis and matching soda stand barstools— paying whimsical homage to a piece of East Vancouver history. Hapa led a process that included public engagement, planning and management, innovative construction details, meaningful sustainability measures, and the realization of a strong concept that evokes the site's history.
