B.C. design firm space2place has been picked by The Vancouver Park Board to plan four new parks in the East Fraser Lands in southeast Vancouver.

The new parks will occupy a total of 7.8 acres, as part of the Vancouver Park Board's commitment to create 25 acres of new parks and green space there.

Design work will take place through 2016 and 2017 and construction will start in early 2018.

"We are hoping to complete the four parks by the end of 2018, and finish the whole project within the next 10 years," said Joe McLeod, project manager of East Fraser Lands Community Plan.

The plan aims to meet the needs of the growing residential population in the East Fraser Lands area.

According to McLeod, about 10,000 additional residents are expected to move into that area in the next 15 years.

"These new parks will enrich the entire community in and around the East Fraser Lands, an area currently undergoing considerable urban development," said Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.

"It will also increase habitat for local birds and wildlife."

The funding for the design work comes from the 2015-2018 Capital Plan.