Some residents in White Rock, B.C., are concerned about public access to West Beach due to the closure of Coldicutt Park Ravine three years ago. The city cited slope instability and proximity to a rail line as reasons for the closure, claiming it was in the interest of public safety. Despite this closure, residents who use the trail to access the beach are upset that an alternate way to cross the tracks has not been built. Many residents bypass the barriers and continue to use the pathway, suggesting that the city should consider building a rail overpass similar to those in the City of Surrey.
The Coldicutt Ravine, donated to the city by the Coldicutt family with the intention of providing public access to the beach, has suffered from a lack of maintenance. Despite broken steps and missing rails, residents still continue to use the pathway. The City of White Rock declined an interview request but issued a statement indicating that the Coldicutt ravine area presents challenges such as unsafe access across railway tracks and the risk of environmental harm. The city’s current priority is securing senior government funding to rebuild its seaside pier, diverting attention away from the issue of public access to West Beach.
Residents such as Jill Kenwood have expressed frustration with the city’s lack of action in providing a safe and accessible way to cross the tracks to the beach. Kenwood has contacted the city multiple times, only to be met with excuses claiming that it is unsafe to build an alternative route. The city’s failure to address these concerns has led to residents taking matters into their own hands and disregarding the barriers in place, further highlighting the lack of adequate access to West Beach.
The closure of Coldicutt Park Ravine has brought to light the underlying issue of neglected infrastructure and public safety concerns in White Rock. The city’s decision to close the ravine without providing an alternative route has sparked frustration among residents who rely on the pathway to access the beach. The lack of maintenance, broken steps, and missing rails in the ravine serve as a reminder of the city’s failure to prioritize public access and safety in the area.
The ongoing dispute over public access to West Beach reflects a larger issue of municipal neglect and lack of infrastructure investment in White Rock. Residents are left to navigate through unsafe pathways and bypass barriers in order to access the beach, underscoring the need for the city to address these concerns promptly. With the city focusing on securing funding for other projects, such as rebuilding the seaside pier, the issue of providing a safe and accessible route to West Beach remains unresolved, leaving residents frustrated with the lack of action taken by the city.
In conclusion, the closure of Coldicutt Park Ravine in White Rock has raised concerns among residents about public access to West Beach. The lack of maintenance and failure to provide a safe route to cross the railway tracks has led to frustration and disregard of the barriers by residents. The city’s prioritization of other projects and lack of response to residents’ concerns highlight the need for greater investment in infrastructure and public safety in the area. Residents continue to advocate for a solution to the issue of public access to West Beach, emphasizing the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
