Cypress Trails Live On?

Rodgers Creek Update

Words by Alan Bardsley and Sharon Bader. Photos by Sterling Lorence.
Date: 2009-02-11

West Vancouver and BPP gave us an update on the Rodgers Creek development.

There are six areas of development, from Area One in the east to Area 6 in the west. Areas One and Two are currently under construction. A temporary road was built through Area Two up to the Cypress Bowl road to remove heavy truck traffic from the lower residential area. You may have seen this private road exiting onto Cypress Bowl road.

cypress mountain bike trails

Area one will consist of single family 5000sq. ft. houses.

Construction impacting Family Guy includes tree clearing for the Chippendale Connector.

This Connector should be complete in the next year or two and will exit near the area of the Family Guy trailhead. A gate has been installed at the Family Guy trail head indicating the trail is closed due to construction. Lower down in Area 4 there will be higher density housing which will also impact Family Guy. Construction may be starting sooner in this area since these comparatively smaller lots and houses may sell better in the current market.

cypress mountain bike trails

We will be hiking the lower section of Sex Boy with BPP and West Vancouver to clearly locate where the rights of way will be to protect access to the trail until a new route can be found. The developers recognize the area between Godman Creek (Roaches) and Cave Creek (just west of Sex Boy) to be an area that can accommodate mountain biking. BPP and the DWV have committed to having the rights of way in place by March 22nd.

Preliminary talks are happening regarding Cypress Village which includes relocating the West Vancouver Works yard. Concerns were brought up about the state of Cypress Falls Park and a desire to upgrade and protect this area for the community. The Official Community Plan allows for the exchange of land above the 1200ft mark for other areas of value to the community. As mtn bikers, we need to decide if we support the development of higher, flatter land above 1200' in exchange for the protection of recreational areas and/or sensitive ecosystems lower down.

What remains of Stupid Grouse may be impacted by a new development application on private land. Due to the steep nature of this trail and proximity to the residential area, this route may become a hiking only trail with a lot of stairs.

Thank You.
Sharon Bader
Alan Bardsley
NSMBA

What do you think?  Will we still be riding on Cypress in a couple of years?  It seems that the municipality of West Van has a new willingness to work with mountain bikers.  Too good to be true or are we on the right track?  Weigh in on Cypress here...