City of Chilliwack seems poised to sell small Sardis park, despite media coverage and petition
CHILLIWACK — Despite extensive media coverage and a petition opposing the transfer of public land to a private buyer, the City of Chilliwack appears unlikely to change course from its current plan to sell a small Sardis park on Cumberland Avenue.
According to the text of an email sent from Mayor Ken Popove to a Sardis resident, and obtained by Fraser Valley Today, the City of Chilliwack has acknowledged that 44692 Cumberland Avenue, an undeveloped city property, has served as an unofficial park for residents in the neighbourhood for quite some time.
As first reported by Fraser Valley Today on May 5, the city has confirmed that the lot at 44692 Cumberland Avenue was purchased in 1991 with the intention of using the space to provide access to a potential nearby park that never materialized. Further, it had been considered as an access point to a park development that was once in the planning stages. However, due to extenuating circumstances, the proposed park development was never constructed.
“While this property was suitable as an entrance to a large-scale neighbourhood park, it is undersized, and park development on the lot is limited by its shape and location,” the text of Mayor Popove’s email stated. “Chilliwack is home to 131 community, neighbourhood, and sub-neighbourhood parks. Your neighbourhood is uniquely served by several community and sub-community parks located within blocks of the subject property. These locations offer significant play value, including several play structures, spray parks, a multi-use gaming area, a pump track, a skateboard park, racket sports courts, a library, and plenty of passive greenspace within a short walk or bike ride.”
