A unique urban park will be built on the rooftop of Oakridge Centre as part of the ambitious redevelopement of the shopping centre.

The Vancouver Park Board has launched a public consultation phase for the design concept of the 9 acre park that will replace the existing rooftop parking over the mall.

The park is one of the public amenity requirements under City Council's 2014 approved rezoning of the 28.5 acre shopping centre in exchange for the site's added retail, office and residential density, which will see a floor area increase to up to 4.6 million square feet.

The redevelopment will include relocating the 70,000 square foot Civic Centre with a new library, daycare, senior centre, community centre and 290 affordable homes from the southwest corner to the northwest corner, as it is a more prominent and accessible area.

As well, the roof for the park will be lowered, and the park's levels will be closer to the street. There will also be 3 varying park levels instead of 1 single level park as previously proposed.

The 'Oakridge Park' will be surrounded by the Civic Centre, office and residential towers, townhouses and restaurants with patios.

At least 6 major entrances into the park space will be created from the street level, the SkyTrain  station entrance plaza and the indoor shopping mall level. Visitors will be able to  access and move between the 3 park levels by stairs, walkways, escalators and elevators.

Six zones - each with varying concepts intended for different usages are envisioned for the park and all of the zones are connected by a grand staircase and looping walking path that doubles as a running track. There is a 1/4 mile (400metre) loop and a 1/2 mile (800 metre) loop.

All the construction will be funded by the developer and the park will be operated by the Park Board when complete.