New Parks, Recreation & Culture Plan downplays the importance of nature and the environment

Statements, goals, and strategies to honour nature and protect the environment have traditionally formed a major part of Maple Ridge’s parks, recreation and cultural planning. 

However, in the latter part of its term, the outgoing Council contracted out the creation of a new plan to a firm that has created a radically different 2022 plan which almost totally neglects the emphasis on nature and the environment featured in previous plans. 

The 2010 Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan opened with this Vision Statement:

"Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are physically beautiful communities, with extensive forests, mountains, rivers, creeks, lakes, and agricultural lands. People choose to live here because of the natural and rural environment, and also because of the strong sense of community. . . A wide variety of linked parks, trails and recreation facilities support diverse activities, resulting in a healthy, active community. People work together at all levels to ensure that the community retains the characteristics that drew them here originally."

The 2010 plan also contained many findings and recommendations which are congruent with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Here is a small sampling of them:

"The health of the environment ranks high on the list of priorities for residents." 

"Demonstrating innovation by creating a policy that all new municipal buildings achieve minimum energy performance targets, and creating a green building program for residential, commercial and industrial buildings." 

"Work with other departments and both municipalities to improve consistency with regard to sustainability measures."

"Initiatives which contribute to positive environmental impacts should enjoy a higher priority than those that do not."

The 2017 Cultural Plan contained the following:

"Celebrating the natural environment" was identified by citizens as the number one priority.

"Guiding Principles: Maple Ridge’s cultural development is sustainable and ensures a high quality of life for residents."

"Nature is deeply valued and enhances our experience of arts and culture." 

If Council adopts the new plan as recommended, many of the environmental initiatives put in motion by Maple Ridge’s previous Parks, Recreation, and Cultural planning will be lost.  

Adopting the new plan would also be a lost opportunity for the new Council, most of whom campaigned as progressives in regard to climate change, to take serious actions in harmony with the previous planning and recognized priorities of Maple Ridge citizens. 

Citizens still have a chance to express their concerns regarding the new plan. 

Council is accepting input on the final draft of the 2022 plan through this PRC Master Plan: Final Community Check-in Survey, which contains a box for comments, until December 31.