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Metro Van mulls Grouse Park tweaks

Should the Grouse Grind be open on those crisp, clear days in winter? Should dogs be allowed to roam free on the Baden Powell Trail? Those are just a few of the topics included in a survey that may affect the future of Grouse Mountain Regional Park f
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Should the Grouse Grind be open on those crisp, clear days in winter? Should dogs be allowed to roam free on the Baden Powell Trail?

Those are just a few of the topics included in a survey that may affect the future of Grouse Mountain Regional Park for the next 20 years.

After officially becoming a park in 2017, Metro Vancouver is now reaching out to the public for ideas and advice on how best to use the 75 hectares of land formerly under the jurisdiction of the Greater Vancouver Water District.

“We’re looking for some feedback,” said Jeff Fitzpatrick, Metro Vancouver regional parks manager for the west area.

While the Grouse Grind typically closes its staircase in the winter, Metro Vancouver is considering sporadic, weather-dependent openings for those periods when the avalanche risk is low and the stairs are free of ice or snow.

“There wouldn’t be a great cost increase,” Fitzpatrick said.

Metro Vancouver is also toying with the idea of closing the approximately 70-metre connector trail at the base of the mountain that leads in and out of the Grouse Grind.

 Instead, fitness aficionados would use the Baden Powell to get to the Grind.

Metro Vancouver is also reaching out to users of the BCMC trail.

“We’re proposing a rustic standard and we want to make sure we’re getting that right,” Fitzpatrick said.

Generally, the changes to the park would be “fairly modest,” according to Fitzpatrick.

“There’s not a lot of opportunity to develop major new park facilities on it. It’s quite steep and people really enjoy the natural experience up there.”

However, Metro Vancouver is also seeking opinions on their vision statement, which emphasizes human health and wildlife corridors.

“It would be great to hear at a high level: are we heading in the right direction?”
he said. A summary of the survey responses will likely be posted this fall, according to Fitzpatrick.

“We’re keen to hear from as many people as possible.”

The results of the survey are slated to help guide the evolution of the park over the next 20 years, according to a release from
Metro Vancouver.

Anyone wanting to offer their thoughts on the park is invited to fill out the survey here.

All surveys must be submitted by Aug. 10.