Picnickers and paddlers will no longer have a concession stand at which to get their fast-food fix of French fries at the lakeside anymore now that the caretakers at Whonnock Lake Park have retired.
The caretakers who operated the concession trailer during the summer months and who took care of the park for about 30 years have moved off the site after their contract ended, said Dave Boag, Maple Ridge director of parks and facilities.
In place of the concession trailer, there will be a food truck, although it’s not known when it will arrive.
Boag explained that a new caretaker’s residence, along with washrooms and changerooms is being planned for the park. Construction of that starts in 2019.
But that new building won’t have a permanent concession stand.
Instead, the city will ask for bids from food truck operators, who can just roll on to the site to provide snacks during the busy summer times.
The new caretaker’s building will have concrete pads nearby to allow a place for the food trucks to park. There will also be power hook-ups and gray water dump facilities.
Whonnock Lake Park, a few years ago, underwent a phased renovation project involving the improvement of the road and picnic area in the park.
The last phase is construction of the caretaker’s residence, costing more than $600,000.
The park is due to get another $1-million renovation to the dock and boating area as part of the city’s recreation upgrade.
The changes in the park have brought reaction, for and against. One commenter on the Whonnock Neighbours Facebook group said the new playground design makes it difficult for parents to keep an eye on their children.
But another said the food sold from the trailer was too pricey.