Friends of Strathcona Park

This article will attempt to explain the battle that the Friends of Strathcona Park (FOSP) are currently engaged in.  In essence, it’s exactly the same battle we’ve been fighting since the Strathcona Blockade of 1988.  Back then, we were working to protect Strathcona Park from the government, and it’s discouraging to us that, 22 years later, on the eve of the 100th birthday of Strathcona Park, we’re still fighting the same tired battle.

Unfortunately, even after years of education by the public,  provincial governments still can’t  seem to grasp what wilderness parks are for.  They apparently still view parks the same way they view everything else, through money coloured glasses,  so it’s not surprising that their clumsy attempts at “management” end up causing so much harm.  For people who actually understand parks, and love them, and value them for reasons other than money, it’s extremely disheartening to see our precious parks being so badly mangled by the very agencies which were supposedly created to protect them. Read More…

Dear Mr. Penner

Even though I assume you will never see this letter, (if it’s answered at all, it’ll be answered by a machine) and even though I believe it wouldn’t matter even if you did see it, because all important decisions aren’t made by you, but by the faceless power figures somewhere in the shadows behind you, I still have to address this letter to someone, so I’m addressing it to you.

I am writing to let you know that I’m unhappy with the recent decision by you ( I’m sure the decision wasn’t yours to make, but for purposes of brevity, I’m willing to pretend that it was) to butcher the Strathcona Park Master Plan to allow non-conforming, high impact, commercial activities within Strathcona Park boundaries. I would like you to quickly reverse this bad decision, while you still can. I think it’s crucial for the decision to be reversed now, before your government grants a park use permit to the one wealthy individual who clearly stands to benefit from your flawed decision (and who, to many, appears to have been the main reason why this whole costly, stupid, and detrimental process was initiated in the first place). Read More…

Dear Mr Minister,
I am writing to you regarding STRATHCONA PROVINCIAL WILDERNESS PARK, B.C.’s first, and oldest, Provincial Park.The flag ship of the B.C. Parks system. As a park user I have seen with great dismay the deplorable state of this park first hand. Trails closed, bridges broken & dangerously damaged, lack of staff of any type, many areas badly in need of maintenance!

For a Park just about to celebrate it’s 100 year anniversary, next year, this is just unacceptable, a disgrace to the people of B.C. and, to all the tourists , and park visitors this year as well. Over the years many, many people, groups & clubs have involved themselves with looking after, defending, and caring for Strathcona Park. By volunteering to build and maintaining trails and infrastructures, plus, keeping its wilderness values intact for future generations to come.There is even an Official Master Plan for looking after the park which has worked fine for over 20 years, BUT, has now been “GUTTED” and bypassed by you, Sir, and your government.This is by allowing a privately owned company(John Cayton’s,Clayoquot Wilderness Resort) access to Strathcona Wilderness Park, for their exclusive private horse use.This despite the 20 years of work from the B.C.Government’s Public Advisory Committee saying “No” -HORSES IN THE PARK- Plus an overwhelming majority of the public also saying “NO” to this suggestion.West coast wilderness cannot take horse use, and abuse, at any time. The General Public have said “NO” Minister Penner many, many times over the years. Read More…

Re: Parks funding cuts result in closed trails, garbage and public defecation, Dec. 16

As a frequent user of B.C. parks’ camping facilities, I, too, have become aware of the rundown, shoddy appearance of the beautiful parks I have always been so proud of.

Cutting funding is false economy, for it will cost twice as much to renew the parks’ beauty. Naturalists and rangers offer more than information and fee-gathering; their presence in campgrounds encourages folks to take more care and gives a feeling of safety. Read More…