As the future of a popular recreation area in Saanich remains up in the air, local residents plan to keep a closer eye on it.
The District of Saanich has initiated the Haro Woods monitoring program, working with the Cadboro Bay Residents Association to have a small group of volunteers augment the data being collected by Saanich Parks staff over the past two months.
B次元官网网址淒etailed inspections are conducted every two weeks, and damage to trees, vegetation and soils caused by unauthorized activity associated with the construction of bike jumps are recorded and repaired. Staff report that the level of this activity has largely leveled off since the initial surge at the beginning of warm weather,B次元官网网址� said Gary Darrah, Saanich manager of park planning, design and development.
Located off Arbutus Road in SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Cadboro Bay neighbourhood, Haro Woods is a 5.6-hectare park which has become a popular destination for walkers, joggers and cyclists, drawing users from inside and outside of Saanich.
Work on the plan started in September 2016 and will continue for months because of ongoing disagreements over whether Saanich should allow cycling in the park. Critics of cycling have argued that the activity would damage the area,
Gary Moser of the Friends of Haro Woods said the program aims to track changes in Haro Woods.
B次元官网网址淭here is no concrete plan for the development of this property, so there are competing interests,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪ome people want bike jumps, and another group of people are saying B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 think that is a good idea for this particular property.B次元官网网址� All the monitors are wanting to do is to demonstrate some stewardship to watch the property, to see what is going on.B次元官网网址�
Moser said the program remains in its early stages with some eight volunteers having shown interest so far, and it does not intend to be confrontational.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not as though everybody is getting a badge and a gun,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just bunch a people who live nearby.B次元官网网址�
An orientation session will be held with 10 volunteers in the next few days. Volunteers will be asked to report any new unauthorized digging or disturbance that may be impacting trees and vegetation. Volunteers are not to attempt to interact with, or influence any visitors they encounter.
B次元官网网址淲e have all agreed and understood that it is to be non-[confrontational],B次元官网网址� said Moser. B次元官网网址淎nyone who is acting in the role of the monitor is to be respectful of that. The plan is just to ensure that we are keeping track of what is being done, and not turn it into a contest of wills.B次元官网网址�
Moser said monitors would not record the names of individuals who they might observe building ramps for bicycles, for example. B次元官网网址淭hat is not part of the program,B次元官网网址� he said.
While the monitors would take photographs, they would avoid confrontational situations with people. B次元官网网址淧eople have a right to privacy,B次元官网网址� he said.
It is not clear yet when the District of Saanich will come forward with a plan for the area. B次元官网网址淭he municipality, as I understand it, hasnB次元官网网址檛 made a specific time decision,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something that they are going to look at IB次元官网网址檓 told in the fall. I donB次元官网网址檛 know what fall means.B次元官网网址�
Overall, Moser said he hopes various users will be able to find some common ground when it comes to using Haro Woods in a respectful and fair manner.
B次元官网网址淲e got a jewel here,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very, very, very nice piece of property.B次元官网网址�
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