The Editor,
My inspiration to preserve Mundy Park intact as heritage for future generations came from Surrey's Green Timbers Urban Forest Park, whose safe, user-friendly, sound policies and practices were borrowed by Coquitlam council. It is now logical that Mundy forest's safe trail policies be consistent with Green Timbers', including a protective advisory committee made up of naturalists and heritage society advocates.
Green Timbers supports a wonderful nature centre, complete with community program facilities, accessible public washrooms and great children's nature programs to foster a legacy of park stewardship. These initiatives have proved highly successful in protecting urban forests' high wildlife values and natural features remaining intact and undisturbed.
All these are allowable uses in Mundy's forest, too, though Coquitlam's Mundy Park Forest Management Plan makes no mention of them. Why not? People need these.
It's vital our children inherit opportunity to be healthy and thrive in Mundy's trails, as we have enjoyed access to date.
If you haven't already done so, please remember to peruse the Mundy Park Forest Management Plan on the city website and complete the questionnaire prior to Nov. 16 - that's Sunday.
Additional comments and your Mundy Forest experiences and wish lists for items such as accessible washroom amenities at a nature centre, with community facilities, to be located either at Mundy Forest's Hillcrest or Chilko entrances, can be emailed to the mayor and councillors, whose addresses can also be found on the city website.
Council needs your encouragement to support good choices.
Judy Donaghey, Port Coquitlam; Mundy Mudthudders; Founder, Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society
