Sacred Heart Plaza at Ed Lynch Square
An exciting next step in the ongoing rehabilitation of Providence Academy is underway!
The Sacred Heart Plaza at Ed Lynch Square will create new community gathering and event spaces that are infused with heritage and preserve and interpret the historic Sacred Heart Garden designed by Mother Joseph c. 1875.
The plan will add walkways, a public plaza and more intimate public gathering places, and host seating, planted areas, and historic interpretation. Planted areas and new trees are designed to maximize and frame views of the Academy.
Project Goals:
- Enrich the public understanding of and respect for the Academy’s history and architecture;
- Provide a welcoming and beautiful garden environment for the public;
- Encourage public connection with the site, increase physical accessibility, and provide additional opportunities for educational and artistic interpretation;
- Preserve and interpret the historic c. 1875 Sacred Heart Garden; and
- Strengthen the linkage between Vancouver’s urban core and the neighboring Historic Reserve.
The Academy’s southern frontage has had many uses over time, including formal and productive gardens; spaces for play, exercise, and sports; spiritual observances; parking; and a restaurant. Many of these activities are historically significant, but few physical remnants remain. Even the Sacred Heart Garden path, originally designed by Mother Joseph c. 1875, has changed many times over the decades. No photos are known to exist from its earliest years. The new landscape design takes inspiration from the site’s overall history and physically flows from the outline of the Sacred Heart as it exists today, preserving it for future research and historical discovery.
As part of site evolution, the new plan adds to the historic Sacred Heart area paths, connecting them to the new public plaza and more intimate seated gathering and contemplative areas. Planted areas and trees are designed to maximize and frame views of the Academy. Interior pathways will incorporate principles of universal design, adding heightened accessibility to the site, making it more inviting and welcoming for all. Plant varieties were chosen to appeal to the senses with a variety of textures, colors, year-round seasonality, and scents and be durable and climate-hardy. Many of the plants selected represent those used by the Sisters of Providence over time.
The Historic Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation, and celebration of our community’s history. The Historic Trust purchased Providence Academy in 2015, and has invested more than $16 million in rehabilitation, restoration and preservation of this important Vancouver landmark.
We appreciate your patience during this short period of disruption, and look forward to sharing the new, improved plaza and garden with you!
