Dear Editor,
Garry Point Park — what a wonderful place to visit, particularly on these warm, sunny evenings. The sunsets are spectacular and the vista a treasure to behold with Vancouver Island in the foreground and Mount Baker in the background makes it awesome.
Unfortunately, this could all come to an end if Richmond City Council proceeds with plans to reinstall a floating dock, attaching it to the existing pilings which were installed to accommodate a tall ship event held years ago. This event was a total disaster for a variety of reasons. Pilings were put down, where they stand today, along with an attached floating dock, which provided moorage for the tall ships that came for the event.
This was to be a temporary installation but the pilings remain to this day. The floating dock found a new home further up the river where it is being put to limited use. The pilings sit as an eyesore and a distraction to the otherwise beautiful vista. It has already been proven that a floating dock in this location is a hazard since tall ships, or any other type of vessel, is exposed to the full wash of the river traffic. There is no breakwater to protect a dock from storms.
Any attempt to revive the floating dock and the additional concession facilities must be stopped immediately. The park must not become a cash cow for the parks department.
Also, more trees and shrubs should be planted where the city has removed natural vegetation.
Finally, Gary Point Park should be designated a heritage site in tribute to the shipbuilding and fishing industries that made it famous, along with the First Nations people who travelled the river.
This is a sacred site to be enjoyed by all, now and in the future.
Alan Johnson
Richmond
