Not the Time or the Place
I’ve been pretty active on the subject of the proposed Park and Campground, because I am deeply concerned about the effect that such a park would have on our community, which is already experiencing trouble on several fronts that I need not remind us all of.
There is a misconception that pressure can be put upon BC Ferries to “do something,” but considering that in the summer the ferry terminal is overflowing, the ferries are overflowing, Horseshoe Bay is overflowing, the ferry schedules are full with ferries sometimes jockeying for position in the terminal, there is no more room to expand the terminal, and there’s no room on our side to fit a bigger ferry, I fail to see what anyone can “do” about that.
Meanwhile, there is another misconception that “someone” can run a passenger ferry for the potential visitors, but the most likely and most experienced someone is Mike Shannon, who has made it very clear (including in direct conversation with Metro) that it would need to be subsidized at a very expensive rate, for him to even break even. The numbers he mentioned to them were way out of their budget.
He has also said, in no uncertain terms, that taking people directly to the Cape would be extremely difficult and unwise, due to the wind conditions out there, and even to Seymour Bay would require the building of a breakwater and other expensive structures. If some other person were to take this on, it is extremely likely they would go broke within a year, and we would once again be without a passenger ferry.
We need to take a potential passenger ferry out of the equation.
I would also like to address the idea that Metro will help us with the Multi-Use Path, the roads, ferry marshalling, potential land for a new ferry line-up system, and God knows what else.
From other municipalities’ perspective Metro is spending $40 million in this tiny community, and to develop the park and campground will cost them some millions more. I do not think that those municipalities will be keen on Metro funding Bowen’s infrastructure to the tune of many millions more, for years to come. At some point — and some point soon — they will say NO, we need that funding in our own communities.
If this park and campground development goes ahead, even close to what Metro wants from it, I truly believe it will destroy the community that already hangs so precariously in the balance. One single summer of extreme ferry overloads would cause the commuters of this island, and those who regularly visit the mainland for medical and other appointments, to leave. Our community would lose the citizens who bring such diversity to this island, leaving it a tourist-centric island.
I am aware that our ferry problems will continue. I think as the pressures continue to slowly increase Boweners will be very motivated to return to car-pooling and public transit (which all fell aside due to Covid). I think with awareness and on-island pressure and advocacy for solutions Bowen can manage its traffic problem in-house by reducing traffic, not finding expensive ways to expand the system.
But people are not going to make sacrifices just to accommodate more tourists. And the most important part is the rate of change. We’re already struggling in the summer; the opening of a park (say, next year) will cause a sudden on-rush that many people will not be prepared for (because they weren’t paying attention or believed everything will be fine), and that will cause people to say, not ‘we have to car-pool’ but ‘we can’t live here any more.’
I could go on, but I won’t.
I oppose the development of this park and campground because it is, sadly, not the right place or the right time. I urge Andrew Leonard, as our Mayor and Metro Vancouver representative, to speak to the mayors and representatives of distant municipalities such as Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock et. al. to find an agreeable way to relocate this park to one of the desired mainland locations that can better serve the people who need it most.
I sincerely believe this can be a win-win for everyone.
- Marian Bantjes
Metro Vancouver’s park initiatives
Metro Vancouver recently purchased the peninsula at the east point of Crippen Park’s Dorman Point, and now provides pedestrian access to the amazing beauty of the whole lower waterfront area. Metro Vancouver has done an excellent job in providing a greatly enhanced Dorman Point Park experience, to be enjoyed by islanders and visitors alike.
Visitors may arrive by bicycle, or on foot using public transport. This accomplishment provides significant benefits to Bowen Islanders and the public at large, while minimizing adverse neighbourhood and island impact.
Earlier, the creation of Crippen Park and Bowen Island’s opportunity to purchase the Community Lands are both a result of Metro Vancouver’s continuing interest in Bowen Island. The Community Lands now provide low cost land for a Fire Hall, Health Centre, Municipal Hall, Community Centre, and affordable housing.
Unlike other municipalities Bowen Island is blessed to own lots of community land to build a variety of forms of housing, and everything else the community may need, all at walking distance from Snug Cove, for years to come. Together with Metro Vancouver a village in the park has been created.
The current park proposal at Cape Roger Curtis is in the interest of Metro Vancouver’s residents as well as islanders, but also creates neighbourhood and island wide concerns to be addressed.
Together, Bowen Island, Squamish Nation, and our friends at Metro Vancouver could develop a shared vision for island living, working and recreation, while creating one amazing, island-wide park system that includes all Bowen Island’s Crown Lands, existing parks, and other environmentally significant areas.
A park that will benefit a growing Metro Vancouver area and islanders alike for centuries to come. A shared vision provides clarity how a park at Cape Roger Curtis enriches the island’s park system and how Bowen Island fits in the UNESCO Howe Sound Biosphere region.
Removing logging leases and mining claims from Crown Lands provides time and space for nature to do its wonder. It creates biodiversity, and certainty that a tree can grow peacefully for hundreds of years, for generations to experience.
A pedestrian-bicycle ferry service, and an island wide trail system would be secured to access Snug Cove Village, Seymour Bay, all neighbourhoods, and one amazing park system. An inclusive experience, providing car access for those who need it.
Bowen Island, a wonderful place to live. A wonderful place to visit. Now and hundreds of years into the future.
- Frits de Vries
Let’s Vote YES for Nature and the Park
As Cape residents, we went into the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (MVRP) Open House with a certain trepidation. The idea of a public park on the Cape bringing masses of people, traffic, noise, garbage, and the potential of forest fires honestly sent shivers up our spines and considerable anxiety.
To our surprise and relief, the Open House put our concerns at ease and we are now excited about the prospect!
This Open House was one of the most friendly and informative that we have attended. The MVRP team was knowledgeable, approachable, open to all feedback, and simply outstanding. With each concern we brought up, they responded in a manner that conveyed extensive experience in park development and management (over 50 years) and thoughtfulness.
We had many concerns but to list only a few:
1) Fire - A significant fire on our Island would be devastating to all of us. The park would bring greater firefighting resources to protect the park.
2) Traffic/Ferries/Parking - MVRP would discourage car travel to the park, promoting other options such as public transit, park shuttle from Snug Cove, bike travel, etc. There would be very limited parking at the Cape with clear road signage, fines, and potentially towing.
3) Overnight Camping - MVRP would provide 24/7 supervision by dedicated experienced staff to control unruly behaviour, loud noise/music, vandalism, garbage, etc. There will be no open fires allowed.
We must all do our part in reaching the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of our land by 2030. Having a park that protects nearly 250 acres of precious coastal dry forest for everyone to enjoy is a far better option than the alternative of further private development and forest degradation.
The benefits to us as an Island community far outweigh the inconveniences that may come with Park status should it hopefully be approved… immersion in nature with the smallest footprint and a program to educate people about the wonders around us.
Let’s vote Yes for Nature and the Park.
Kind Regards,
- Ian and Debbie Dunn
Spring Cleaning for Bowen’s OCP
In the midst of the current discussion about a potential park/campsite at Cape Roger Curtis, all sides seem to agree at least on one thing: Cape Roger Curtis is an environmentally sensitive area and we have an obligation to protect and preserve the unique biodiversity of the Cape.
At this hour, nobody knows which way the park/campsite decision will go. Many valid concerns have been raised by the Bowen community and municipal committees related to the current proposal. The park/campsite may or may not happen, but our responsibility to protect and preserve the Cape will remain.
Section 7.1 of our current Land Use Bylaw contains sensible set back restrictions from watercourses, steep slope regulations for buildings and septic fields, wetland and watercourse protection measures, erosion control measures and other environmental mitigation procedures; a reasonable framework, designed to protect and preserve the unique biodiversity of Cape Roger Curtis.
To become effective, our Official Community Plan needs to be revised in accordance with Section 7.1 to create a Development Permit Area for Cape Roger Curtis. At the meeting of September 27, 2021, more than 20 months ago, staff were directed by Resolution #21-350: “… to begin the process to amend the Official Community Plan to create a Development Permit Area for Cape Roger Curtis to protect the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity.”
It remains to be done. I believe it is urgent, if not mandatory that this is done as soon as possible to protect and preserve the Cape.
The Metro Vancouver parks project, the future build-out of 24 residences on 10 acre lots, or other future rezoning applications at Cape Roger Curtis will be required to respect these development permit guidelines… to preserve and protect.
Let’s direct our energy and resources to the things we can control, the things we can influence. Let’s border, protect, respect, and preserve the Cape and implement Resolution #21-350.
- Lesley Gaunt
