Photo: PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 19, 2016 : The canadian actress Pamela Anderson during the press conference against the force-feeding of geese at the french National Assembly. / Shutterstock
Pamela Anderson is urging the Mayor of Port Moody and city council members not to move forward with plans to build a road through Bert Flinn Park.
The Canadian actress and PETA spokesperson wrote a letter to city council urging them to reconsider their positions regarding the right-of-way for the David Avenue Connector at the council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8. If the plan is given the green light, the road would run through the centre of the park. Many residents believe this will disrupt the peace and tranquility of the area, as well as the delicate ecosystem.
In addition to being Port Moody's largest urban park, Bert Flinn Park is also home to a variety of animals, including bears, raccoons, coyotes, and barred owls. The park is even home to the red-legged frog, a species at risk.
"People in BC and around the world have become increasingly concerned about human expansion and deforestation, which kill and displace animals," writes Anderson.
"The issue of Bert Flinn Park so perfectly captures the global struggle between unsustainable development and the ethical imperative to protect nature and its many inhabitants."
Anderson thanks council members who have supported the park's preservation, and urges others to do the same. She also urges them to become leaders in animal rights and environmental protection, and writes that, "My friends at PETA and I look forward to hearing from you."
"I love BC and will always consider it home."
Port Moody residents have also created an online petition to stop the corridor through the park. In 2018, David Suzuki stated that he thought the plan was outdated, and that the plan would, "slice the delicate ecosystem in half."
Suzuki also called the plan a, "developer's desire for car-centric urban sprawl; a shame."
Bert Flinn Park offers a number of scenic hiking trails that pass through lush forests and make for a short, easy walk. The route passes several streams and raised boardwalks and is a popular area for locals and dog walkers.
