The Editor:
The City of Burnaby's population is forecast to grow by 45 per cent over the next 25 years. Yet the recently released draft Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area Trail Management Plan makes no accommodation for this growth by adding new trails to the current 24.5 km of trails.
During the pandemic, the trails took a heavy beating which the management plan addresses.
But the plan ignores the evidence of open urination and defecation that points to the need for additions to the two existing public toilets.
Amazingly the trail management plan completely ignores the many kilometres of unofficial mountain biking trails.
These trails cause gullying, discharge sediment into streams, and bring disturbance to wildlife.
Finally, the Parks Department needs to carry out more and broader community engagement.
The sole public open house on May 21 in an open plaza at SFU in a rain storm was insufficient.
Further consultation should be organized at the Cameron Recreation Centre or the Stoney Creek Environmental Centre in Burnaby.
Visit the BMCA Trail Management Plan web site and download the draft report.
- Derek Wilson, Port Moody
