The following letter was sent to District of Sechelt parks department and copied to Coast Reporter for publication.
Enough already with the split-rail fencing! Sure it looks nice and rustic, but what's wrong with just leaving things natural?
I walk almost every day with my old dog along Chapman Creek. One of my dog's biggest joys in life is going down to the swimming hole for a dip. I like going down there too and throwing sticks for him. But now split-rail fencing has blocked off the access to the swimming hole.
Chapman Creek is a very popular place for people to walk their dogs, and many of the dogs enjoy the swimming hole. But very few dogs can climb fences. I myself am no spring chicken, and I don't want to have to climb fences.
You did the same thing at the new Mission Point Park, fencing us all in like a bunch of cattle. I used to take my old dog down an easy access to deep, shady creek water. That too has been fenced off.
Are you planning on blocking off access to the water the entire length of Chapman Creek? Why do you have to deprive us all of the simple pleasure of meandering along the creek or sitting in the sun on a rock by the water or swimming or fishing? Why does everything have to be tamed? I think there are better ways to spend tax dollars.
Cecilia Ohm-Eriksen
Selma Park
