Dear Editor:
In the District of North Vancouver’s (parks department) fruitless attempts to keep teenagers and other invasive species from using Hastings Creek Park, they have aggressively and carelessly created an unsightly mess and a seriously potential fire hazard that could have disastrous consequences by endangering the schools, townhomes and private homes surrounding the park.
The area just off Harold Road is a prime example of careless disregard for the environment of which, just as a reminder, humans are a part.
After volunteers, under the supervision of (district parks) employees planted a few indigenous plants, the area was then gutted by chainsaws, leaving sawdust everywhere, broken tree branches and bits and pieces of bark and wood strewn haphazardly in all directions with little concern for the environment. If this was an effort to keep people from using the park, it’s not working.
Because there aren’t any trash cans, garbage and cigarette butts are distributed throughout the park. Fortunately, volunteers regularly pick up what they can and take it home for disposal. Coffee cups and the like are generally left in the creek and wait for the creek to flush them out the sea.
Anyone walking through the park could easily get the impression that it is in decay and is being deliberately ignored by the (district). Bridges are not replaced resulting in trail closure, existing trails never groomed leaving sections impassable due to ankle-deep mud.
The trails are used daily by all types of people including elementary school children and high school students coming and going to school. A private fence and even an old bathtub is allowed to invade a protected creek bed; no sign of any effort to protect creek-side trees from falling due to soil erosion.
The (parks department) attitude towards Hastings Creek Park seems to be exclusive rather than inclusive. Unlike other district parks it doesn’t even merit an identifying sign.
So, who benefits the most from the (parks department) treatment of Hastings Creek Park? Why is this park treated in such a cavalier manner?
Richard McManus
North Vancouver
District parks manager Susan Rogers responds:
"The district values all of its parkland and endeavours to maintain it all to a similar standard – Hastings Creek Park is no exception. Over the years, repairs and upgrades have been made to Hasting Park’s trail network, bridges and stairs, and we continue to upgrade these amenities as budget allows. We know drainage is an issue in sections of Hastings Creek Park trail, particularly during the wet fall/winter months. Upgrades to the drainage will be made as funding becomes available.
We are fortunate to have a large group of dedicated volunteers who help enhance and maintain Hastings Creek Park.
This past June, district staff and volunteers pulled nearly 600 kilograms of invasive plants and replanted 130 new native trees. In response to neighbour complaints, a portion of the area was decommissioned to make it a less desirable late-night gathering spot for youth. When an area is decommissioned it is standard practice to leave behind some of the natural foliage that has been removed to discourage people from entering the area. Additionally, staff and volunteers regularly monitor the park and remove litter, graffiti and debris."
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