The City of Surrey and Metro Vancouver have finalized a joint management plan for Surrey Bend, the newest regional park in the Lower Mainland. At 348 hectares, Surrey Bend is roughly the size of Stanley Park, making it the largest park in the City. It also contains the third largest bog in the region. The land has been largely inaccessible to the public, despite some makeshifts trails, and the new management plan expects to keep most of the park in its natural state.
After receiving consultation feedback that emphasized protection of the environmentally sensitive area, Metro submitted a revised management plan that leaves almost 75% of the land untouched. That said, the plan will added several new trails, as well as a educationally-focused leisure area near the entrance to the park, including a viewing platform and non-motorized dock, a picnic area, and a children’s play area.
The City and Metro are both committing $350,000 to develop the initial phases of the park. The development of the entire management plan will cost around $20 million. Phase 1 will include a new park access road and 40 stall parking lot, toilets, a picnic area, and an informational kiosk, as well as Beaver Trail, Parsons Channel Trail, Spirea Trail, and Meadow Trail. The long range plan envisions an overpass to Fraser Heights in the northwest.
