Some Surrey residents are concerned about the future of Hawthorne Park’s ecologically sensitive area following a proposal from the city to build a new road through the popular park.
Resident Steven Pettigrew said he received a letter from the city saying it wants to axe a bylaw that protects the area to be able to build the road.
“This is something we’re very upset with as well because if they can do this to one park, they can do this to many parks,” said Pettigrew.
He said the road will also go through people’s homes, disrupting the neighbourhood.
The proposed two-lane road would connect 105A Avenue with 105 Avenue on the other side of Hawthorne Park. In addition, there would be a two-lane southbound roadway linking it to 104th Avenue.
Pettigrew said many people want to see the park protected, not only Surrey residents.
Pettigrew said the proposed road will be two lanes, plus parking and bike lanes, adding that the ecological foot print would be too damaging.
He said he will be challenging the removal of the bylaw at City Hall Monday afternoon.
But Councillor Mike Starchuk said the concept is still in the works.
In an e-mail, Starchuk said that even though the proposed road would take up land, the city purchased property close to the park that’s larger and would bring in more trees.
With files from Yuliya Talmazan
Comments