The following letter was sent to the Sunshine Coast Regional District and copied to Coast Reporter.
Recently my wife and I hiked into a nearby area to take a look at three old growth trees. I am a former owner, in part, of that property which was deeded to the regional district a few years ago, as a park. I knew where the trees were, but it was a bit of a bushwhack to gain access to them.
The largest tree measured 30 feet in circumference at eye level. The other two were not much smaller.
Two issues arose out of our expedition: it was fairly difficult to hike in there as the brush was fairly thick, but we managed, and someone has been in there and stripped bark off one of those beautiful trees.
It seems to us if you are going to have this park, you should provide access, like a trail, for all to see. Those trees are probably the nearest old growth specimens to a community such as Sechelt. In our view these magnificent old trees should be shared with our various communities and with tourists in the area.
At the same time, you need to protect the trees from people like the individuals who have stripped bark from one of them.
We propose that a trail be built to provide access to these trees, and a metal fence be constructed, as described above, or in whatever means you deem necessary to keep the visiting public at arm's length.
It would add interest to have several signs near the trees explaining about growth rates, estimated height, etc.
You would also need several signs on the road, and a place for people to park.
Frank Brown, Gibsons