If you live in the Welcome Woods area, you’ve definitely noticed the construction on Redrooffs Road at Kenyon Creek. Thanks to members of the community on the Halfmoon Bay Facebook group who contacted Capilano Highways, residents were able to provide clarification.
The construction project will replace the culvert and repair the road, preventing future flooding during heavy rains. Traffic will be single-lane alternating until Sept. 3, then full closure from Sept. 3 to 18.
The Sargeant Bay fish ladder and viewing platform have now been installed! Thank you to the volunteers who came out on Aug. 18 to help with the finishing touches.
If you’ve visited the new fish ladder or walked the Sargeant Bay berm lately, you may have noticed an overwhelming stench and circling vultures about halfway up the beach. It certainly piqued the curiosity of my kids and we couldn’t resist the temptation to investigate.
To our horror, it was a dead deer with no apparent wounds. After I said “no” about 10 times to questions from the kids like, “Can we dissect it?” “Can we take it home?” and “Can I at least poke it with a stick?” We attempted to speculate the cause of death and concluded that it may have been chased off of a cliff by a natural predator, broke a leg and floated to shore. Unfortunately, the real cause of death may have been more disturbing.
Rand Rudland, president of the Sargeant Bay Society, shared on social media that the blame falls on an off-leash dog. He stated, “A large dog, off-leash, chased the deer into the water and was able to drown it. I have been told by others that the event was witnessed and that the vehicle belonging to the owner of the dog had the license plate photographed and turned over to the authorities.”
This preventable incident is a reminder of why our parks and beaches do not allow dogs to roam free. Respect for wildlife is a priority in these public spaces, especially in areas like Sargeant Bay, where wildlife is abundant and diverse.
Can you guess what I don’t mind dying by the hundreds, though? Mosquitos! And you can expect them to be out in swarms after the summer rains this week, which provides the perfect breeding ground for these jerks. Take a preventative approach and dump any pots or drain puddles where water has been collecting in your yard. If you’re a DIY-er like me, try making your own effective, natural bug spray from a simple concoction of witch hazel distillate and essential oils like lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, tea tree, lavender and cedarwood. If you’re not a DIY-er, I still have a few bottles of “F-Off” at the Modern Hippie Homestand.
Stay itch-free, and have a lovely weekend Coasters!
