Editor:
Re: City seeks tips for ‘most unique’ park, Sept. 14.
I am writing in regard to the proposed “3km riverfront park on the south side of the #Nicomekl River in South Surrey, reaching from Elgin Road to 40th Ave” posted on the city’s Facebook page.
I am a resident of this area and use Crescent Road as a motorist, a cyclist and a pedestrian. I enjoy the trails by the river several times a week and do not see any need to expand the park.
The addition of some proper washroom facilities would be welcome. Other than that, this is already a well-used, well-loved and well-run community facility.
My concern stems from the recent changes on Crescent Road that have been a huge misstep. I don’t want to see more of the same along this route.
The relatively new pedestrian light between Elgin Road and 144 Street on Crescent Road is an example of what not to do. This light makes no sense. It is not positioned at a crossroads to help manage traffic flow.
I believe its intent was to create a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists. But, as either, you are severely confused by this crossing. The lights are hooded so deeply that those hoping to cross cannot actually see what the state of the light is. The crossing is positioned at the crest of a hill, an awkward place to direct pedestrian and cycling traffic. It also gives you a poor line of sight for traffic. Because you cannot see whether the light has changed, you can’t tell whether it’s safe to cross. It’s simply a poor design and implementation.
Driving down Crescent Road just a little further, we see another shocking example of a mismanaged project. The family-run golf course at King George Hwy and Crescent Road was expropriated for a green space (Civic expropriation to close Riverside, Sept. 25, 2015.)
This explanation was a transparent green-washing; the golf course was already functioning as a green space. The proposed need to provide a habitat for local wildlife never rang true to me – especially as we have Serpentine Fen just across the way. And, of course, what happened instead is that we got a brand new barely used roadway and sidewalk for a housing development. It was not used as a green space at all.
Keep in mind that this was built kitty-corner to the $4.5-million empty park and ride lot that won the Teddy Waste Award in 2014.
I object to our taxpayer funds being spent in this manner. Instead, the funds should be used to improve the roads themselves.
Fix the potholes on Crescent Road but stop paving over paradise in the name of green space.
Sherry Jaehrlich, Surrey