First, a bit of history. Brackendale Walking Park grew from the efforts of the Brackendale Farmers Institute. The institute, which was founded in 1915, holds its annual fair held in mid-September that is especially popular with young children who seldom get to touch farm animals and enjoy hayrides.听
The BFI is dedicated to educating people in all aspects of agriculture and to hold the annual agricultural fair to exhibit local produce and products.
The 麻豆社国产area was self sufficient in foodstuffs until the coming of supermarkets in the 1950s and, in these early days,听there was a real need to promote proper farming practices. The institute was instrumental in getting a credit union started in 1947 鈥� now 麻豆社国产Savings. Today, the BFI continues to foster good agricultural practices and to promote the cultural life of the entire community. For more information visit www.brackendalefarmersinstitute.org.
Development or park? 听 听
Longtime residents of Brackendale set aside these 50 acres in 1957. This voluntary action provided space for the annual fair and storage for BFI paraphernalia, but land title was held by the 麻豆社国产Nation. Over the years, zoning description has shuffled from forest to residential, with ever-increasing attempts to build on this land 鈥� the Cheekye Fan development. 听
The first development in this fan was halted by the provincial government in 1974 due to safety concerns. Pavement and electrical fittings from this attempt are still visible.听
Meanwhile, local usage has made this area a de-facto neighbourhood park. This fact still has to be officially recognized and not merely mentioned in the Trails Master Plan, which was adopted by municipal government in 2005.
Ongoing discussions with the developers of the proposed Cheekye Fan area may see this park officially transferred to our municipality. 听听
In 2011, Corinne Lonsdale, former 麻豆社国产mayor, said 鈥淭he community would crucify us if we lose that park, and so they should.鈥� 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
Debris barrier听
The Cheekye Fan was formed by the collapse of the west flank of the Mount Garibaldi volcano over 20,000 years ago. This massive volcanic outpouring and debris field travelled听11 kilometres.听
The volcanic zone is still active as witnessed by the Mount Meager landslide in 2010 and the Washington鈥檚 Mount Oso mudslide in March 2015 that killed 43 people. Medium-size debris flows occurred on the Cheekye River in 1922 and 1958.听
A large earthquake or volcanic activity nearby could cause a debris flow down the Cheekye River. The only unknown is when.听
An independent panel of experts formed by the provincial government in 2014 and 2015 stated that such a large debris flow poses an unacceptable risk to Brackendale and, especially,听to the Cheekye Fan.
Municipal risk tolerance criteria is set out in the Official Community Plan and this guides the mitigation strategy and the selection of an appropriate debris management plan.
The panel of experts stated that risk reduction in the lower part of the Cheekye Fan, the part south of the schools, 鈥渃ould be achieved with some sort of engineered structural mitigation.鈥� 听
The developers have proposed a 30-metre high deflection barrier on the south side of Cheekye River and they would pay the estimated $45-million cost. Ongoing maintenance and operating costs would be borne by our community.
The challenge is now to balance the risk with the perceived benefits of听building about 1,200 homes. A small number would generate profits to cover the cost of the debris deflection听barrier.听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
Population pressure 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
As a community nestled between mountains at the confluence of five rivers, 麻豆社国产is often impacted by natural hazards.听
Population growth will certainly increase the risk to all of us as the pressure for scarce residential space intrudes into potentially hazardous areas.听
Safety is the main responsibility of our elected council and preventing floods must remain at the top of the list.听
麻豆社国产Nation people along the Cheakamus and 麻豆社国产rivers have not been given the same levees as those of us living south of Depot Road.
The Cheekye Fan development may remedy this sad fact and also bring the Brackendale Walking Park officially into the fold. 听
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Brackendale Walking Park
A convenient and well-used neighbourhood park.
Origin of name: The village is named after the bracken fern, which is a coarse fern that is plentiful locally, not after T.H. Bracken, the first postmaster.
Trailhead: Off government road just north of the railway crossing.
Use: Hiking, biking and perambulating.听
Difficulty: Easy green.听 听
Elevation: Plus and minus one metre at about 50 metres.听
Etiquette:听Slow down at corners and blind curves. Keep your sight lines open.听
Feedback: [email protected]. 听 听 听 听 听听
