To the editor:
Re: "Paving paradise and putting up a seawall," July 20.
I believe the ecological and social benefits of extending the seawall from Kitsilano Beach to Jericho Beach have been largely overlooked by columnist Allen Garr and letter writers Deirdre Phillips and Jan Pierce. The photographs of the foreshore depict only the very east end and are not truly representative of the area. However, I also believe the foreshore could be better protected and even enhanced by the construction of a seawall.
First, the views to English Bay and the North Shore mountains will not be affected by an extended seawall any more than those similar views from the Stanley Park seawall are negatively affected. The big advantage of an extended seawall is that the views would be enjoyed by more people who are currently denied access by virtual of age-induced infirmities or ambulatory disability. The fact is that all beach users will lose the view when climate-induced sea rise denies any access, except at exceptionally low tides, unless we build the seawall.
Second, we should be open and honest about the current views. The predominant view is that of large beach fronting buildings with retaining walls-many defaced by a mess of graffiti. The walls are, for the most part ugly, overbearing and, in some cases, being undermined by the sea. It will get worse as increasing water levels, combined with higher intensity storm waves, cause further wall collapses.
By contrast, a well-designed seawall would not only obliterate the lower section of this visual blight but offer the opportunity to incorporate a planted green backdrop to cover the upper sections and discourage further graffiti vandalism-for centuries to come.
David Grigg, Vancouver
