A new task group formed to look at the state of Coquitlam's largest - and most popular - park will include a range of representatives with competing interests.
Last month, the city's council-in-committee reviewed the list of clubs to be invited this fall to be part of the Mundy Park Forest Management Plan Task Group.
Besides members from the city's advisory committees, the task group will involve volunteers from the Coquitlam Animal Shelter as well as leaders from the BC Disc Sports Society, Burke Mountain Naturalists, Friends of Mundy Forest Heritage Society, Mundy Mudthudders and Phoenix Running Club.
Mayor Richard Stewart questioned why the disc group would be part of the exercise. "I don't know if they have the ability to give us much advice," he said at the July 29 meeting. "We want a scientific plan to protect the forest."
But parks manager Kathy Reinheimer countered the disc group could provide a "completely different perspective.... The goal at the end of the day is to have a healthy forest."
Still, other councillors argued the task group wasn't inclusive enough and suggested nearby residents' associations and the Dr. Charles Best secondary PAC also be added.
Coun. Brent Asmundson said many groups that use Mundy have conflicting agendas and "maybe they can be brought in for a better understanding" of the park, he said.
In March, the committee agreed to spend $60,000 to hire a consultant to look at the 440-acre park in central Coquitlam that has some 15 km of trails.
The findings will form part of a new plan that will gauge the park's overall health as well as tree and invasive species risks, potential wildfire conflicts and recreation amenities.
Much of the information the city has about Mundy is now out of date, staff say.
