Image: Contributed

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Sardis green space

Small park in Sardis officially off the market: City of Chilliwack

Jun 18, 2025 | 10:47 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack resident Rob Brooks and his kids went to bed Tuesday night feeling elated after learning that their sub-neighbourhood park won’t be converted into housing.

And while the specifics into what exactly transpired haven’t been made public at this point, the City of Chilliwack has confirmed through a spokesperson that a sub-neighbourhood park in Sardis that was previously up for sale has been pulled.

In a brief one-sentence response, city spokesperson Ali Carter Page told Fraser Valley Today via email that the property at 44692 Cumberland Avenue is off the market.

“Due to the slow real estate market, the City will not be proceeding with the sale of 44692 Cumberland Avenue at this time,” Carter Page said.

No further information was provided by city staff.

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Independent Chilliwack journalist Paul Henderson reported Tuesday night that the City of Chilliwack held a closed-door meeting about the sub-neighbourhood park, resulting in the small park being taken off the market.

“The park is saved!” Henderson reported. “Great outcome and great work by all involved, including Mayor Ken Popove who got involved and helped make this happen.”

Sardis resident Rob Brooks celebrated the news with a post on social media Tuesday night.

“Cumberland Park will remain the glorious little gem in our city!” Brooks wrote. “Huge thanks to the Mayor and Councillors for choosing to preserve this greenspace — not just for the kids in our neighborhood, but for generations to come.”

Brooks first alerted Fraser Valley Today to the proposed sale of the property at 44692 Cumberland Avenue back in early May, saying it would be a loss to kids in the neighbourhood. The property was listed for $679,900. At the time, the City of Chilliwack justified the sale by saying the property was purchased in 1991 with the intention of using the space to provide access to a potential nearby park that never materialized.

“In 2020, the City developed a Greenspace Plan, which outlines a solid strategy to ensure Chilliwack provides adequate parkland, greenspace, and outdoor recreational facilities for current and future residents,” a city spokesperson told Fraser Valley Today in May. “Staff currently follow the Greenspace Plan to guide park development throughout the city.”

News of the proposed sale set off a wave of emails and other forms of communication to city councillors and Mayor Popove. That communication campaign appears to have paid off.

“And thank you so much to everyone who wrote letters, signed petitions, showed up, and spoke out,” Brooks wrote. “There were some very excited kids going to bed tonight — falling asleep knowing that their voices mattered, and that they helped make a real difference.”