Carvolth Integrated Open Space – Goldenview Park by PMG Landscape Architects

Located in Langley Township, Canada, the Carvolth Integrated Open Space (Carvolth IOS) at Goldenview Park redefines how landscape architecture can merge environmental performance with community life. Designed by PMG Landscape Architects, this 1.6-hectare linear green space is more than a park — it is a functional stormwater management system, a community gathering place, and an educational landscape that raises awareness of ecological processes.

A Seamless Blend of Form, Function, and Ecology

The design integrates stormwater management strategies directly into public recreation, ensuring that sustainability and play coexist in one cohesive landscape. The park receives runoff from a 6.3-hectare mixed-use development, filters and slows the water, and then releases it into Latimer Creek and the Serpentine River. This approach not only improves water quality but also makes the natural process visible and engaging for visitors.

Three distinct landscape types transition seamlessly across the site:

• Natural landscapes that frame views of the surrounding forest and Golden Ears Mountain.
• Public park spaces with interactive play, seating areas, and walking paths.
• Urban plaza elements that connect the park to the neighborhood fabric.

The unifying theme is water. From swales and interactive water features to soundscapes of flowing water beneath pavers, visitors experience water visually, audibly, and physically. Iconic design gestures, such as water droplet forms that double as seating and retaining elements, reinforce the concept while adding sculptural character.

Community and Collaboration

What began as a water-inspired aesthetic vision grew into a project that united developers, municipal leaders, and residents. PMG Landscape Architects, as the lead consultant, balanced stakeholder needs, ensuring the space met both urban development goals and environmental stewardship priorities. The result is an accessible, inclusive, and ecologically integrated public space that strengthens neighborhood identity.

Education Through Design

Beyond recreation, Carvolth IOS is an outdoor classroom where visitors can learn about sustainable design and stormwater systems. Interpretive signage highlights water’s journey, encouraging curiosity and stewardship. By revealing infrastructure instead of hiding it, the park shifts public perception, showing that ecological systems are not only essential but also beautiful and worthy of celebration.

An Exemplary Model of Sustainable Landscape Architecture

Carvolth Integrated Open Space demonstrates how landscape architecture can act as green infrastructure, creating a park that is at once recreational, educational, and ecological. It highlights the role of design in addressing climate resilience, urban water management, and environmental education, serving as a model for future sustainable park projects in Canada and beyond.

All Photographs are works of Take Off Photography