In July 2008 the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation voted to return the majority of central Jericho Beach to it’s natural state while preserving 5,000 square feet of the WWII Department of National Defence wharf covering it for public viewing and commemorative purposes.
This decision was the result of a widespread standard public consultation process and a compromise between the 55% who favoured complete removal of the wharf and the 33% who favoured complete retention.

In 2009 the newly elected Park Board, the majority of whom are beholding to a small group who are determined to see the wharf to stay, is looking for justification to overturn this decision.

You can help SAVE JERICHO BEACH  by participating in our ONLINE PETITION
You can go one step further to SAVE JERICHO BEACH by emailing Park Board Commissioners or use our Custom mailer.

Here is a brief history of the reasons why central Jericho Beach is worth saving, 2008 Public Process, the special interest process that threatens the beach, the tailored ongoing “public” process which is not so public and the

1. Reasons to Save Jericho Beach

History
E’eyoughlmouth-Native village,
Jerry’s Cove – logging operation
Jericho Golf & Country Club
Jericho Beach Air Station(pre-wharf)
Department of National Defence Base Jericho Beach
Habitat 1976 – Green Peace Save the Whales Launch

Environment
Since it’s inception in the early 1970’s Jericho has evolved from a primarily concrete military base to a natural Park Space. The Jericho Stewardship Group, Evergreen, and various other community based citizen groups have worked tirelessly over the past 4 decades to facilitate this evolution. The removal of the wharf will be a significant boost to a shoreline that has been identified by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans as prime juvenile fish habitat. The park is habitat for a number of wildlife species, including species at risk.

Economics
The conceptual capital cost estimates to remove or repair the wharf are roughly the same and have already been included in the Park Board Capital Budget however the ongoing maintenance costs for the repaired wharf are expected to be $60,000-$100,000 each year for the first 10 years and are expected to escalate thereafter as more of the structure deteriorates. The repair cost estimates while significant to not bring the structure up to seismic code required for large gatherings and the 1.5 acre wharf would have to continue to be sparsely used.

Enhanced choice of Activities for Public Usage
The removal of 1.5 acres of concrete frees up a natural beach space which could be put to a multitude of public uses.

1. 2008 Public Process

Park Board Report July 7/2008

1. 2008/2009 Special Interest Process

The save the wharf special interest group was very active during the original 2008 process and instrumental in getting 33% of the Public Survey respondents to favour the rehabilitation and retention of the wharf. They presented a 200 signatures petition at the July Park Board meeting which was duly considered. Their efforts and input resulted in the retention of 5,000 square feet of the wharf for viewing and commemorative purposes. Between the public process conclusion in July and the November civic election they added 600 more signatures to the petition and worked hard to elect the Vision/Cope and Green Candidates on the Park Board in exchange for a campaign promise to review the marginal wharf decision. After weighing all of the evidence Green Party Commissioner MacKinnon stated “I think the public process was fair and allowed all stakeholders a voice.” (March 11, 2009 www.betterparks.blogspot.com)  

1. Ongoing Consultation $7,500

Limited to groups selected by a “Facilitator”. A save the wharf proponent suggests money can be saved if a Commissioner would act as a facilitator.

Current Commissioner Ian Robertson was on the 2008 Park Board and still strongly supports their decision on the marginal wharf saying: “ it is the right decision for economic, social and environmental reasons…” 

SAVE JERICHO BEACH