Mountain View Cemetery perimeter plans
What is this project about?
Mountain View Cemetery (MVC) is developing a plan for changes and improvements to its entrances, hedges and fences over the next several years. The objective of this initiative is to preserve the culture of Vancouver’s only cemetery while considering the relationship with the surrounding community. The changes to the entrances, hedges, and fences will be designed to allow public access, while protecting the existing graves.
Background
The MVC is situated west of Fraser Street, between 31st and 43rd Avenues. The cemetery comprises 106 acres of land and has over 92,000 grave sites and more than 145,000 interred remains. MVC is an essential part of the Vancouver landscape, serving as a memorial spaces space for the past, present, and future. The cemetery requires continuous maintenance and attention to ensure its beauty, longevity, and continued viability.
This public engagement aimed to gather public feedback on enhancing the cemetery's entrances, fences, and hedges while preserving the cemetery's cultural heritage.
Process
The project was guided by the Mountain View Cemetery Master Plan. A team of landscape architects, consultants, cemetery staff and leadership worked on plans to determine what changes could be considered.
A public engagement process to gather public feedback on enhancing the cemetery's entrances, fences, and hedges while preserving the cemetery's cultural heritage closed on March 17, 2023. What we heard is available in the Mountain View cemetery perimeter plan engagement summary (PDF, 1.6 MB).
Project Update 2025
The City of Vancouver and Mountain View Cemetery (MVC) have completed a comprehensive review of the cemetery’s perimeter as part of the long-term implementation of the MVC Master Plan. This work focused on improving accessibility, preserving heritage features and enhancing the visitor experience.
Following public engagement in 2023, the City has finalized the Mountain View Cemetery Perimeter Strategy, which outlines phased upgrades to entrances, fences and hedges. These changes are designed to protect burial sites, improve safety and support respectful public access.
Key changes
Closure of the Prince Edward Street entrance: This pedestrian entrance will be permanently closed due to accessibility and safety concerns. The path does not meet current standards and cannot be upgraded without disturbing nearby gravesites.
Upgrade of the 33rd Avenue entrance: A fully accessible entrance at East 33rd Avenue, east of Prince Edward Street, will be formalized and improved to serve as a primary pedestrian access point.
Fencing and signage improvements: Permanent fencing and updated signage will be installed to support wayfinding and clearly define cemetery boundaries.
These decisions reflect a careful balance between accessibility, heritage protection and operational feasibility. No gravesites will be disturbed as part of this work.
Next steps
Implementation will begin in phases, starting with the permanent closure of the Prince Edward Street entrance on Monday December 8, 2025 and upgrades to the 33rd Avenue entrance. Future perimeter improvements will be scheduled based on available resources and coordination with other cemetery projects.
