If you were a tree, where would you hide in Richmond?
Well, you probably have to be on property that can’t be subdivided by an owner wanting to cash in on the property market boom.
You have to be out of the line of sight from a developer’s sniper rifle and the subsequent backhoe that could “accidentally” damage your roots.
You could plant on some city land, say Garden City Lands, but who’s to say you won’t be cut down in 20 years’ time and be replaced with two smaller versions of yourself somewhere else in the city.
Even then, it’s unclear you’ll return as the same species.
We know a place. How about Shady Island, near Steveston? Yes.
Not much chance of development taking place there and it’s unlikely you’ll run into any backhoes.
A dangerous, fast-flowing tide sweeping in and out will also protect you, like a medieval moat, from the aforementioned developer.
Here, you can safely take root, grow and watch across the channel at all the development taking place in Steveston.
Sorted!
Best small island
Did you know Richmond is comprised of 17 islands in the Fraser River estuary? There’s Sea Island, Lulu Island and 15 other small islands. We anoint Shady Island as the best of those small islands.
Shady Island, home to eagles, seals, sea lions and more, is man-made and has been built up over time from river sediment.
Eventually, it will act as a dyke to protect Steveston when it’s below sea level, as the city plans to build a sea gate at either end of the island, in the decades to come.
