Burnaby resident John Preissl is a happy man.
The local environmentalist and nature photographer had complained to the City of Burnaby in August that its lack of bear-proof garbage containers were at least partially responsible for attracting bears to such areas as Deer Lake. His complaint was featured by the NOW in August.
Preissl recently heard back from the city with some good news.
According to an email from Steve Bruneau, assistant director, parks, the city has been installing bear-proof garbage containers – Hide a Bag Bear Resistant Containers - in “areas where bears are known to travel in the city. These areas include Burnaby Mountain, as well as local parks, ravines and known bear corridors.”
The replacement program started in 2018, said Bruneau, with the purchase of 12 bins and the city has installed 25 this year, with another 25 planned for 2020.
Deer Lake Park along with Burnaby Lake and Robert Burnaby Park are locations planned in 2020, which Preissl said is good news.
“Staff work hard to keep our parks clean, safe and enjoyable for all to enjoy year round,” Bruneau wrote. “Parks has an aggressive litter and waste collection program with two full-time garbage trucks supported by maintenance crews. The summer months are challenging as the garbage cans nearly double in quantity to provide adequate coverage, with the good weather and the public enjoying the outdoors, we are out seven days a week. Many locations are collected three times a week during this time, unfortunately there are times when the amount of waste becomes more than the receptacles can handle. Reducing and eliminating bear/garbage and bear/human confrontations is extremely important for the safety of both.”
