Visitors to Blackie Spit in South Surrey will have a “cleaner, neater” place to park this week, as work on paving the lot wraps up.
Parks manager Owen Croy said the effort to spruce up the area includes painted lines denoting spaces and travel lanes, which will result in room for more vehicles and fewer minor accidents.
There are no plans to implement pay parking.
“This has not been proposed as a revenue opportunity to the finance committee of council nor has it been discussed in operational meetings here at city hall in recent memory,” Croy said.
Driving factors behind the work included complaints regarding dust generated in the gravel lot, the incidence of significant pot holes, poor traffic circulation and an aim to maximize the number of vehicles that can be parked.
“It will handle summer visitors much better than happens right now,” Croy said.
“People are less likely to get boxed in, people are less likely to have minor accidents in the area.”
Access to the swim and sailing clubs will also be improved by the work; as will underground utilities.
Croy noted the area’s environmental sensitivity was factored into the equation. The parking surface is porous concrete – as opposed to asphalt – which will allow water to penetrate directly through, eliminating runoff and the need for intensive storm-water detention facilities.
“There’s a whole bunch of good reasons for it,” he said.
Surrey council in October approved a budget for the project of up to $700,000, awarded to Sustainable Concrete Canada Ltd.