Langley councillor calls for Tynehead zip-line

City of Langley Councillor Gayle Martin, chairwoman of Metro Vancouver’s parks committee, has been shopping around the idea of expanding private businesses in the regional parks system to help subsidize operating costs. Martin’s plan signals possible big changes coming soon to Tynehead Regional Park, among others. Here’s what she said to The Province about building a private zip-line in the Guildford area park:

A zip line would be popular at Surrey’s Tynehead East, she said, noting a temporary zip line in downtown Vancouver during the Olympics was popular and that other communities, such as Maple Ridge, are already offering “challenging courses.”

Martin said Tynehead East would be appropriate for the proposed concept because it has always been earmarked for development. Past proposals included a zoo and a golf course, neither of which ever materialized.

She elaborated in an interview with BC Local News:

Parks with dog zones, including Tynehead, could be equipped with a canine swimming lake and self-serve dog-washing area, she added.

“How or even if we’d charge for that, I don’t know,” Martin said, but suggested there may be strong demand from dog owners.

Coffee shops or concession stands could pair up with other amenities like a dog swimming lake or kids’ water park, she added.

The overall concept Martin is now pushing is a result of a pay-to-play junket she and Peter Frinton from Bowen Island recently attended in South Carolina’s Charleston County. The tour reportedly included viewing a kids water park, rentable gazebos for parties, and a bar designed for dog owners at the off-leash area. Martin is forming a four person committee to explore the idea, and will bring in a consultant from the States.

Her general conservative philosophy with regards to using public money for public amenities is strikingly similar to that which was touted by former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and members of his Surrey Electors Team City Council. That Council often encouraged public-private partnerships for recreational facilities so as to reduce the financial burden on the City. That effort resulted in the construction of the privately-owned Action BMX track in Newton, the privately-built Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, and the Tong Louie YMCA in Panorama Ridge. The reluctance to fund public amenities during periods of immense growth, as well as tepid response from private investors, resulted in a severe shortage of community facilities within the City, an ongoing dilemma still faced in Surrey.

Ironically enough, the City purchased the Sport and Leisure Complex from its private owners a couple years ago after several years of neglected maintenance and is now a City-owned facility. The current administration under Mayor Watts has recognized the role of public facilities and has in fact spearheaded their expansion to help meet the ever-expanding community needs of Surrey residents.

A zip-line, along with a ropes course and tree-to-tree aerial bridges, was proposed by the private company WildPlay for Redwood Park late last year. The proposal went up against general opposition from South Surrey residents who were concerned about the historic arboretum in the park. A similar facility has been envisioned for Green Timbers as part of the future expansion of the public Surrey Nature Centre.