Two open houses will be held in the week ahead to give the public its first look at a preliminary park concept for proposed national park reserve lands on Bowen Island.
The preliminary park concept includes a broad overview of what lands could be included in the proposed park and how those lands could be operated and managed. Once the public has reviewed and commented on it, a new revised version will be developed for final public consultation on the concept.
The preliminary concept is a product of community consultation with Bowen Island residents, and local stakeholders. It includes strategies to address key opportunities and concerns such as park fees and dog-off leash areas.
This preliminary park concept will broaden the scope of the feasibility
assessment to date, facilitating more comprehensive discussions with First Nations, neighbouring communities and other levels government.
The preliminary park concept is not a detailed plan with specific
information on facilities and service offers since these elements would be decided upon in the steps following a feasibility assessment. Should the concept have general public support, these details would be determined through either negotiations between different levels of government and, if those negotiations are successful, long-term management planning of the national park reserve lands.
The feasibility assessment is likely to conclude in the summer of 2011 with a recommendation to the governments of Canada and BC on whether it is feasible to establish national park reserve lands on Bowen Island. The decision depends heavily on the level of public support for the proposal and the island's potential to offer residents and visitors of Metro Vancouver a significant opportunity to experience Canada's national parks.
The open houses are:
• Saturday, February 26, 2:30 - 5:30 pm (presentation at 2:30pm.) Bowen Island Community School
• Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 - 9:00 pm (presentation at 7:00 pm.)
Gleneagles Clubhouse at Gleneagles Golf Course, 6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
