I first started writing about the fate of the aging marginal wharf at Jericho Beach in 2008.
While some thought the wharf had historical significance, others dubbed it a safety hazard and having a negative impact on the environmentally sensitive eco-system surrounding it. The wharf was built more than 60 years ago as part of the former Jericho Seaplane Base. Jericho Beach was home to the Pacific Coast Station of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1921 to 1945.
In the end it was a report from Fisheries and Oceans Canada that sealed the wharfs fate. The report showed fish habitat and other marine life around the wharf was being compromised due to toxic contaminants leeching into the water from old creosote pilings. So the park board voted to demolish the wharf and more than a year ago began a restoration project thats just recently been completed.
Next Wednesday, the public is invited to a community celebration to mark the completion of the restoration project, which includes interpretive signs, a lookout with viewing binoculars, and native vegetation and landscaping that runs from the waterfront to the forest.
The opening ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. June 19 at Jericho Beach Park with music and cake. Following the ceremony will be a tree planting commemorating the City of Vancouvers Peoples Choice Award from the World Wildlife Funds Global Earth Hour City Challenge. The wharf is located east of the Jericho Pier.
Boardwalk empire
The first boardwalk to be built in Stanley Park along Cathedral Trail will improve the flow of water and reconnects a divided wetland, which in turn helps the areas wildlife.
The 75-metre-long elevated boardwalk, located just north of the Lost Lagoon stone bridge where Rawlings Trail meets North Lagoon Drive, is made out of western red cedar and replaces a gravel path in one of the most biologically rich areas of Stanley Park. The walk was built to help protect plants and soil from being trampled, while improving drainage and allowing for the increased movement of small mammals and amphibians. In addition, the boardwalk improves pedestrian safety as it now links to a visible crosswalk.
A second smaller boardwalk was built at Tunnel Trail near Stanley Park Drive and Pipeline Road and there are plans to build a third boardwalk at Beaver Lake. The need for a boardwalk system to control access to sensitive habitat and address its fragmentation was identified in the Stanley Park Ecological Action Plan.
sthomas@vancourier.com
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