SURREY – At Monday’s Council meeting, the City of Surrey voted in favour of moving forward with the plan to create a regional park in Surrey Bend, located in North Surrey.
Surrey Bend is 348 hectares (860 acres), and is the largest publicly owned natural area in the City of Surrey. It is part of a complex of parks and protected areas along the Fraser River. The park plan includes a trail network, educational opportunities, and an entrance area, which will include parking, washroom facilities, viewing platform and dock, group picnic area, and a children’s nature play area. Future plans include the potential for a pedestrian and cycling overpass over the CN rail corridor for residents to access the park from Fraser Heights.
“Surrey Bend is an integral component of our ecosystem, home to many natural habitats and important species of wildlife,” says Mayor Dianne Watts. “We need to protect and study this sensitive area, while allowing more people to enjoy the beauty of nature. The looping trails and stunning waterfront viewpoints will be a big draw for visitors who will come to see this stunning Fraser River location.”
In addition to protecting two large areas of relatively undisturbed bog, forest and shoreline habitats, the plan also protects the important natural hydrologic processes that created and support these special ecosystems. Habitat compensation and storm water demonstration features will be created, and the site’s ecology and natural values will be studied and documented.
Under the plan, Metro Vancouver will manage the new regional park and operate various programs such as nature interpretation, guided walks, and by-law enforcement. Metro Vancouver and the City of Surrey have each committed $350,000 to implement the first stages of the plan. The City is not responsible for the operational costs of the park, but will remain involved in an advisory capacity and participate in any updates to the park plan.
Three public open houses have been held, and the Surrey Bend Advisory Committee was created to assist the City in developing the park plan. The Advisory Committee included the following stakeholder groups:
* The Fraser Heights Community Association;
* Surrey Environmental Partners (SEP);
* Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition;
* Vancouver Natural History Society (Nature Vancouver);
* Fraser River Paddlers (not a formal organization);
* Sur Del Power and Sail Squadron;
* Trails BC; and
* BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program.
Metro Vancouver is expected to vote on the plan at their next board meeting on Friday, July 30. If approved, Metro Vancouver will commence with additional studies (e.g. Hydrologic and Geotechnical work) in the fall. The detailed design work will begin in 2011 and construction will commence in 2012. In the meantime, the park is not locked and visitors may access the informal trails from 104th Avenue.
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