$43-million Rocky Point plan inches forward

There’s a plan to make it better but for many residents, the emphasis should be on making it bigger.

Port Moody council advanced a 10-year, $43-million plan to upgrade Rocky Point Park on Tuesday, as many attendees urged the city to expand the park westward.

“Without expanding the park, you risk the overcrowding and diminished accessibility for local residents who live within walking distance, such as myself,” said Charlene Loughlin.

Loughlin was one of several residents who warned that as new developments pop up there will be a commensurate increase in park visitors and a resulting strain on park infrastructure and resources.

There isn’t a discrepancy between council’s vision and the community’s desire, responded Mayor Meghan Lahti.

“I agree that expanding the park is a priority for this council,” she said. “We all want to expand that park.”

Both of those conversations can happen in concert as council awaits the newest iterations of the city’s parkland acquisition strategy, which is tentatively set to be ready in the next few weeks, Lahti said.

The 10-year plan is set to include new routes for cyclists, a “universally accessible boardwalk route,” as well as more benches and a bigger picnic shelter,

As the current spray park is judged to be “near the end of its usable life,” the plan recommends a new spray park as well as a new skate park. The skate park would be part of a larger youth zone, potentially including: basketball, beach volleyball, a pump track, climbing wall and a parkour area.

The plan includes several elements focused on the environment, such as a more trees, a tidal marsh designed to secure the shoreline amid sea level rise, as well as new rain and pollinator gardens.

The park’s central green lawn could also be raised to improve its poor drainage, the plan stated.

While the park needs some upgrades, the city’s priority should be park expansion, according to Coun. Haven Lurbiecki.

Most of what I saw in this plan is a nice-to-have,” she said of the plan. “Well, expansion is a must-have.”

While she supported moving the plan forward for further refinements from staff on Tuesday, Lurbiecki said she wouldn’t support the proposal until there’s a solid plan for a bigger park.

The city should be able to find a way, said Coun. Amy Lubik.

“I think that we will be able to expand the park,” Lubik said. “We may not agree on how but I think that’s going to be the goal.”

Former councillor Steve Millani questioned the cost of the project, particularly when residents are “drowning in tax.”

The project is an investment in the community, Lubik said. While the price is substantial, “we have other ways of providing funding that won’t all come from the taxpayer,” she said.

Making better use of the park could have the safe effect as expansion, said Coun. Diana Dilworth.

“By opening up space that isn’t currently being used we’re actually expanding that park, de facto,” she said.

Dilworth also encouraged residents learn about the city’s park expansion efforts next week.

“All of those residents that are very passionate about expanding parks in Port Moody really need to join the committee meetings next Tuesday when we are talking about our overall parkland acquisitions strategy,” she said.

Several councillor’s praised the plan for wider walkways, as well as elements to assuage impacts from erosion, king tides, and heat domes.

The plan emphasizes protecting archaeological sites such as finds at Noons Creek.

“These sites are not just remnants of the past but are living connections to the ancestors and traditions of the Coast Salish Peoples,” stated the city’s draft plan. “The park should serve as a living classroom where visitors can learn about the Indigenous history and ongoing cultural practices related to the land”

The 10-year-plan is set to move ahead parallel the Old Orchard Park master plan.

Related: Port Moody council rejects call for expansion of Rocky Point Park in OCP planning