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Trees cut in park on Pitt Meadows riverfront

Someone may have wanted to improve their view of the Fraser River
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The city has fenced the area where the trees were cut.

The City of Pitt Meadows is investigating some trees cut down in Shoreline Park.

Coun. Janis Elkerton characterized it as a “clearcut” bordering Osprey Village, just south of the Kingfisher Townhouse complex.

She said the culprits cut through a chainlink fence, and used heavy equipment.

She suspects someone wanted to improve their view of the Fraser River.

“They want to keep Pitt Meadows as ‘The Natural Place,’ unless it impacts their views,” Elkerton added.

Mayor John Becker echoed that sentiment, calling the vandalism “very disappointing and concerning.”

He said the city should replace the cut trees and bushes, and restore the area “the way it was before this vandalism occurred.”

The cost of the damage is estimated at $6,180.

“We will investigate, pursue and prosecute the offenders with all due diligence,” said Becker, “and do our very best to bring it back to what it was.”

A report to council last month detailed the damage:

“The unauthorized work party removed Himalayan blackberry bushes, two ornamental maple trees and damaged a number of the remaining surrounding ornamental maple trees, all within the sensitive riparian zone of the Fraser River. The removal of bank vegetation has reduced the stability of the foreshore and introduced a public safety hazard at the top of the bank,” said the report from city engineer Forest Smith.

“Staff is continuing to investigate whether pesticides were used during this process or not.”

City staff is working with the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The city fenced off the top of the bank from the general public to eliminate any risk of people falling.

Becker said he hoped the culprit would “have the jam to step forward,” and pay for the remediation.

Elkerton said there should be stiffer fines as a disincentive.

“I don’t see this incident as a large issue, but we need to protect what we’ve got. We need to prevent it for the future.”




Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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