The Editor,
Re. “Shoreline Park needs work” (Letters, The Tri-City News, Sept. 14).
The letter writer Barb Dowding very accurately described the abysmal condition of the trails in Port Moody’s Shoreline Park.
Every day, I walk my dog from the PoMo rec complex toward Old Orchard Park. The gravel trail is dangerous, with gravel and rocks that are loose and falling away, some bridges are in disrepair and a child or pet could easily fall through the railings to the creeks below. Recent rotting of railings have been repaired in a shoddy way. Slabs of plywood have been nailed over rotted and missing boards, creating a tripping hazard for those people who are unfamiliar with the path. Originally the plywood was painted yellow to provide some sort of visual clue but that paint has faded long ago. It looks like the same paint that has been dribbled over bumps on the paved trail. That paint will soon fade away, too, but even now it cannot be seen clearly until a bike rider is almost on top of it.
Numerous dead trees continue to pose a hazard to users of the trail. Nothing is being done to rectify the problems described herein except that a few large trees that looked healthy have been logged in the parking lot. Does this mean that damage to parked vehicles is more important than injury or death of trail users?
If Port Moody’s parks department has a grand plan to address these issues, the park users would like to see it published.
Helen Brown, Coquitlam
TRAILS ARE FINE
The Editor,
I wonder what I’m missing with respect to the “terrible shape” and “neglect” the letter writer says the trails are in. I went for a walk along the shoreline recently at dusk, walking on the wide, well-defined and what I consider very well maintained trails.
Seems the author thinks gravel is missing and there is an excess of tree roots creating walking and running hazards on the natural trails, and notes the disruption tree roots create to the paved path. It appears she is advocating gravelling over of the natural trails. She mentions that on the paved route, “someone has painted lines on the dangerous bumps at a certain point in the route — clever but not a solution.” Trees grow, roots grow — you put a paved path through them and you eventually get disruption to the paved surface. Flagging the danger seems effective to me. Not sure of the alternatives. Eliminating bordering trees in favour of a nicely paved surface? Cutting down vegetation and natural habitat to relocate the path?
As to the paths being a hazard to joggers, anyone I’ve talked to who jogs the shoreline is doing it because of the additional challenge (and pleasure) a nature trail presents. Otherwise, they opt for sidewalks, a running track, etc.
I suggest the experience the writer is looking for is not that of a nature path but that of a groomed and manicured urban trail. After decades of living in Vancouver, I can’t believe how blessed I am to have ready access to a stunning natural trail at my doorstep. If the park’s trails don’t suit you, please, head to another environment more in keeping with your needs.
A better focus of community energy for the park would be on the protection and maintenance of the natural habitat as Port Moody continues to grow.
Finally, regarding “where have all the friendly people gone?”: That starts at home — while on the trails, go out on a limb (pun intended) and be the first to say “hello” to those you pass.
Erin Madill, Port Moody
