$9.8 Million in Projects for Campbell Valley Regional Park

Campbell Valley Regional Park is one of the significant parks in Metro Vancouver. In 2020, the Metro Vancouver Regional District Board adopted the Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan. This plan outlines a five-year investment vision for the park.

In short, the plan’s vision is to connect “people to natural and cultural landscapes. Its river valley, forests, and grasslands contain a diversity of ecosystems and experiences where visitors recreate, discover, and experience nature.”

I posted about the management plan back in 2020. In that post are detailed maps of the proposed improvements the regional district wants to make. I’ve included an overview map below.

Concept plan for Campbell Valley Regional Park. Select map to enlarge.

In its 2023 parks projects capital budget, the Metro Vancouver Regional District is looking for the board to approve $9.8 million in projects for Campbell Valley Regional Park over the next five years, which includes $1.2 million in 2023.

If the regional district board approves the projects, it will allow for the implementation of the Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan and the renewal of the Little River Loop Boardwalk.

Over the last few years, I’ve visited more national, province, regional, and local parks than in the previous ten years. I can say that Metro Vancouver has some of the best parks that I’ve been in because the district and board keep investing in them to help people connect with nature.

More Details on RapidBus and Bus Rapid Transit Vision

A few weeks ago, the TransLink Board and the Mayors’ Council approved our region’s new list of 10-year transportation priorities. I posted about what this means for Langley as far as buses as well as walking and cycling in previous posts. I wanted to share some more information.

One of the first pushes will be to expand RapidBus. The current example of RapidBus in the South of Fraser is the R1 which runs down King George Boulevard in Surrey. The next route to be put in service is the R6 Scott Road RapidBus, scheduled to start next year. The following video shows some of the changes to the road network to speed up bus service.

The following map shows RapidBus routes that TransLink, in partnership will municipalities, plans to build out over the next decade. A new RapidBus between Maple Ridge and Downtown Langley through the fast-growing Willoughby area is a TransLink priority in the first half of the 10-year plan.

RapidBus Expansion Map Including Phasing. Select map to enlarge.

Following the rollout of RapidBus, a sort of BRT-light, will be full BRT or Bus Rapid Transit. TransLink is planning to build BRT along the 200th Street Corridor, replacing RapidBus in the next decade. This BRT route will “connect the city centre of Langley and the city centre of Maple Ridge with a fully traffic-separated BRT line featuring dedicated bus lanes and transit signal priority across the 200 St - Golden Ears - Lougheed Highway corridor.”

BRT differs from RapidBus because its travel lanes are entirely protected and separated from travel lanes throughout 100% of the route. We don’t have anything like this in Metro Vancouver today.

This is an example of BRT in the York Region in Greater Toronto. It is closest to what BRT would likely look like along 200th Street.

Viva Rapidway BRT Busway. Select image to enlarge. Source: BeyondDC

One of the tricky things that will be required for BRT is the reconfiguration of 200th Street. I know 200th Street between Highway 1 and the Langley City border does have enough right-of-way to accommodate BRT, but it might be trickier getting that right-of-way through to the proposed 203rd Street SkyTrain station unless general travel lanes are removed.

The next step for this new 10-year plan will be for the region to develop a funding plan which will take the cooperation of the provincial and federal governments.

2021 Caring for the Air Report – Metro Vancouver Air Quality Improving

The Metro Vancouver Regional District is responsible for managing air quality in the Lower Mainland. The regional district has prepared an annual “Caring for the Air” report for the past decade. This report is easy to read and contains helpful information for people. For example, this year’s report has tips on creating a homemade box fan filter for the annual wildfire smoke season.

The report also has information on some of the projects the regional district is sponsoring to help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emission. One project focuses on the film industry, where they will be looking at ways to replace portable diesel generators with clean energy sources.

It also contains information on the new residential indoor wood burning (fireplace) requirements coming into effect later this year.

Some good news is that gas pollutants continue to trend down except for ground-level ozone, which has slightly increased. This increase is due to ozone formed outside Canada that is coming into our region.

Gas Phase Pollutants. Select chart to enlarge.

Fine Particulate Matter impacts human health, which can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, make breathing hard, and even lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

The following graph highlights the significant impact of wildfires on Fine Particulate Matter and human health during the summer month.

Fine Particulate Matter. Select chart to enlarge.

For more information, check out the report starting on page 63 of the Climate Action Committee Agenda.

The Free Beer Nathan Pachal Mayoral Candidate Meetup (and Fundraiser)

Although the fall municipal election may seem like an eternity away, with summer finally here, it is actually only around 100 days away!

After serving two terms as a councillor in Langley City, I'm excited to be running for mayor. Running for mayor is not something I take lightly. It is a big responsibility. I can only run for this position because of the support of people in our great community.

As a small token of my appreciation, I'd like to invite you to Farm Country Brewing for a beer (or other non-alcoholic) beverage on me, whether you are already a supporter or want to learn a bit more about me and what I stand for.

A mayoral campaign costs money to run, so I will also be accepting donations at the event. You can donate up to $1,250.00. I'll be accepting cheques or credit cards.

Date and Time

Thursday, July 21st
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Location

Farm Country Brewing
5 - 20555 56 Avenue

Event Schedule

6:30 pm - Sign in and get a drink ticket
7:00 pm - Speeches
7:15 pm - Meet and Mingle

I look forward to seeing you at Langley City's premier craft brewery!