Vancouver mulls seawall expansion from Kitsilano to Jericho

Vancouver city council is considering a proposal to extend the seawall from Kitsilano Beach to Jericho Beach.

Council is set to discuss the idea on Tuesday, but already both the NPA and Vision Vancouver councillors are claiming credit for it.

NPA Coun. George Affleck says he came up with the proposal after being frustrated with its abrupt end in Kitsilano.

But Vision Vancouver councillors claim Mayor Gregor Robertson has been working with Park Board commissioners on the idea since February and they have an anonymous donor who's willing toprovide tens of millions of dollars for the project.

Whoever's responsible, Kitsilano resident Carla Graham likes the idea.

"Sounds like something positive, great for the community," said Graham.

But she suspects it might be opposed by dozens of owners of the multimillion-dollar homes that line Point Grey Road.

"I'm sure the residents who live along here who have been enjoying their pedestrian-less view will have something to say about it..."

According to the Vancouver Park Board, the seawall is the most popular recreational facility in Vancouver. It is made up of 22 kilometres of walking, jogging, cycling and in-line skating path that lines Vancouver's waterfront from the convention centre on Burrard Inlet (Coal Harbour), around Stanley Park and False Creek, past Granville Island and ending at Kitsilano Beach Park.