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Rodgers
Creek Working Group Meeting A Glimmer of Hope for Cypress Words and images ~ Cam McRae |
I've just returned from the public meeting of the Rodgers Creek Working Group - the latest British Pacific Properties (BPP) development on Cypress. It was an interesting crowd. There were approximately 200 people in attendance - perhaps 50 'regular folks' mostly in their golden years, along with in the neighbourhood of 150 mountain bikers. It was standing room only and an impressive testament to the political will of the riding community. The first hour or so was an opportunity to look at the maps of the area to be developed - to be called Rodgers Creek. One map showed that the 203 acres under consideration is divided into two zoning categories. Approximately 50 acres is zoned RS7 which could be considered the BPP equivalent of high density planning - allowing 2.5 residences per acre. Put another way each home would sit on four tenths of an acre or a lot that could be 90 feet wide and 195 feet long. Not quite large enough for a par three hole but ample for an eight pack of jumps and a pump track. The remaining 150 acres is zoned RS8 which allows for only 1.5 shacks per acre or two thirds of an acre per residence. These humble abodes will have 29,000 square feet of land to work with which could mean a lot that is 100 feet x 290 feet. You can expect large homes to be sitting on this prime real estate when the time comes to move in.
There was a fantastic representation of mountain bikers at the Rodgers Creek Working Group meeting - standing room only. Well done people.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. I was encouraged to learn that West Van has completely revamped their planning methods for the large tracts of land owned by BPP (two other private landowners own small parcels within the Rodgers Creek area). In the past small sections were slated for development and planned in isolation without a larger over-riding vision. It's clear that the West Van council and staff are anxious to improve on previous efforts and to be more careful about riparian zones and other environmental factors. Elaborate maps were on display identifying tree species, creeks and drainages as well as the presence of wildlife. While one map did show an inventory of trails there didn't seem to be any indication that planning would take these trails into consideration. Some trails follow riparian zones, and at this point may not be on the block to be developed outright, but others were smack in the middle of prime real estate.
After the presentations by staff and council the floor was opened to questions and comments. The two camps had different priorities; the seniors were primarily worried about traffic safety and congestion along with seismic stability while mountain bikers were advocating the perservation of trails like Family Guy, Firehose and Sexboy. We were well represented by the three brave souls who stood up and presented our case. The economic and social benefits of mountain biking were advanced eloquently and one wise rider asked all the mountain bikers present to raise their hands. The sea of fingers strengthened our case and made it clear we have some clout. Tell me what politician doesn't love a crowd?
One of the many maps on the wall. This one showed a potential development plan. Areas in pink could be developed while pale green and green are riparian and buffer zones which would remain in their wild, second growth state. Just out of the image on the top right is the second switchback where the lookout is while the first switchback is out of the image to the left. Click image to enlarge.
The West Van staff who responded to these inquiries assured us that trails hadn't been forgotten about and that riders would be included in the process. While no guarantees were made at least our case wasn't dismissed outright. Later on in the discussion a distinguished looking gent, who looked old enough to remember West Van before the Lions Gate Bridge, began talking about riding bikes in his youth. At first it seemed like he was going to be supportive of bicycle riding, but then he remembered how much fun he'd had jumping into streams on his bike and he wondered aloud whether we might be prone to the same urges and what sort of damage we'd be likely to cause. At this point the evening took an improbable turn and a West Vancouver employee, Stephen Jenkins, outlined the measures riders and builders have taken to avoid disturbing streams and to mitigate our impact on the mountain. "I have been impressed by the structures and lengths riders have gone to - you would not see degradation of creeks and, because of the topography, erosion is not deep" was what he said verbatim.
It appears that West Van staff no longer see mountain bikers as the enemy. Left to right: Geri Boyle, Stephen Jenkins and Doug Leavers
Times have changed. West Van was the scene of the so-called 'chain saw massacre' in 1998-99 when West Van Parks employees descended upon the mountain with chainsaws and destroyed every structure they could find - even existing fallen trees that pre-dated mountain biking were cut and left like trash on the forest floor. In part the attitudes of staff and council towards riding have changed but parks manager Doug Leavers acknowledged as well that the "revision of trail standards as well as improved technologies has created a trend towards more sustainable trails." I wouldn't call it a love-in but it's pretty clear that we aren't seen as the villains we were a few short years ago. Much of the credit for this lies with organizations like the nsmbA and IMBA, but also with the North Shore Festival and Conference that was held two years ago in North Van and last year in Whistler. These events attracted recreation planners from municipalities who were made aware of what can be done - generally with volunteer labour - to create enjoyable trails that don't make a mess of the mountains. The biggest credit slice goes to the volunteer trailbuilders who put in long hours ensuring trails that are built with the future in mind.
Geoff Croll, at left in the dark suit, was the BPP representative at the meeting. Unfortunately none of us thought to ask him what BPP thinks of mountain bike trails.
Where does this leave us? I'm not sure anyone can answer that question. Unfortunately none of the riders present, myself included, thought to ask Geoff Croll - the BPP representative present - what the developer's position on mountain biking was. The Stupid Grouse Trail, (aka My Friend the Grouse) one of the oldest mountain bike-specific trails on Cypress, was built by Ross Kirkwood in the eightie and it is now largely surrounded by BPP residences. The top sections remain untouched but most of the lower sections of the trail (now renamed The Bell Trail - that sure sticks in my craw) have been turned into smooth crushed gravel paths. It is possible to ride your bike down this trail but it's not much fun. Stupid Grouse used to wind through some beautiful sections of forest but now in most spots there are only a few layers of trees on each side. A similar approach to trails like Sexboy, Family Guy and Firehose would spell the death of mountain biking on Cypress. This means the discussion about how trails would be preserved is just as important as if they are preserved.
This gentleman, without intending to harm or help our cause, ended up being our best friend.
On Tuesday I was up riding Fromme with Eamonn and Jerry from our team. We stopped at Air Supply and a couple of lads were there scoping it out. It turns out these gents were from the UK and were planning to stay on the Shore for an extended time - several months - to ride and to ride some more. We talked for a while and another pair of riders appeared at the top of the trail. These two, on a shorter but similar trip, were from Switzerland. The next day my wife was riding and she met two riders from Germany. The North Shore is becoming a world class destination for mountain bikers and this trend is likely to increase.
As I pedalled home from the meeting I began to ponder what Cypress was like before we white folks started carving it to bits. You only need to spend a few minutes in the woods before you notice huge stumps - some 15 feet in diameter or more - their trunks felled decades ago. This was once an exquisite place with the sort of 'values' no timber or real estate prices can compensate for. What remains is certainly beautiful - with Arbutus mingling with Douglas Fir, Cedar and Hemlock - on a dramatic rocky landscape accented by ferns and Salal. But it will never be what it was; a pristine ecosystem dating back tens of thousands of years. Once old growth is gone nothing can be done to manufacture what stood before.
A satellite photo of the area under consideration.
For me one of most appealing aspects of mountain biking is the opportunity to experience areas in the woods I'd never otherwise be exposed to. The silence and beauty of the forest seeps into my bones over the course of the ride and at the end I feel rejuvenated. I enjoy adrenaline and the exercise itself has a powerful revitalizing effect - but without the woods we may as well be riding on a trainer or playing Wii. This is an amazing resource that is a huge asset to a community. Most municipalities would never consider developing over their soccer or baseball fields because they provide tangible social benefits. They are an outlet for all who participate and in particular a huge opportunity for kids to learn about exercise, determination and teamwork. The trails on Cypress are no different.
Like the old growth that once crowned these mountains, once the trails are gone they are gone forever. It's my hope that the city of West Vancouver recognizes these trails as a priceless resource and thinks very carefully about perserving them for generations to come. I hope to still be riding the trails on Cypress with my kids, and with a little luck, with my grandchildren as well
If you have anything to say about the meeting or the future of Cypress please say it here.
