Ground-up asphalt full of wires and debris from past roadwork projects now covers a neighbourhood path leading to a Port Coquitlam park.
And area homeowners say the cherished trail they've used for years to walk their kids and dogs won't be busy again.
The 330 m path runs from the north end of Fremont Street and Handley Crescent, working its way up to Patricia Avenue to Sun Valley Park at Lincoln Avenue. A blueberry farm is on the east side while a wide, deep culvert is on the other, bordering residential backyards.
Homeowners had asked the city to update the path to reduce mud and potholes, and to clear fallen tree branches.
"Just a basic upkeep, with loose rocks on the ground or bark mulch," area resident Linda Richardson said.
Last Thursday, some homeowners say city crews "dumped" a thin layer of asphalt millings along the path, a decision that has infuriated them because of the rough surface and because of potential environmental impacts.
But Kristen Meersman, the city's engineering director, said the use of recycled pavement isn't new in PoCo. It has been used in other city trail sections, such as behind Amazon Court in Cascara Park as well as in lanes and other maintenance jobs. It allows for better drainage and, unlike gravel, doesn't wash away, Meersman said. Instead, the material gets stronger the more it's used.
It's also adaptable to weather conditions and is eco-friendly. "The use of this product is well documented and does not pose an environmental risk," Meersman said, noting the path isn't finished but work is expected to wrap up by next week.
She said the neighbours weren't consulted on the type of material because it was a "reactive maintenance project to address immediate and continued issues, and was not a planned improvement/upgrade project."
Area residents contend the city made the wrong move as the path is located within the floodplain and the petroleum-based product could leech into the nearby farms and watercourses. Surrounding plants and grasses could die as a result, they argue, and wildlife will be affected as heron, ducks and bears frequent the greenway.
Andrea Kloegman lifted her shoes to show black tar stains.
"God knows what this will smell like in the summer," Joey Baranec said, shaking his head.
Ryan Hobenshield held a bucket of wires he and neighbours said they collected from the new pathway in just five minutes. "It's everywhere. We have kids and dogs walking this path. Now what?"
They've already made their voices heard to PoCo Mayor Greg Moore and city councillors.
"It's terrible what they've done. We just want our path back," Richardson said.
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