News mentions in 2019 about Green Timbers: the park, the Green Timbers Urban Forest, the Green Timbers Square Mile, and nearby areas, in reverse order.
November
130-unit supportive housing complex breaks ground in Surrey’s Green Timbers forest
Green Timbers Supportive Housing project will provide 100 supportive homes and 30 transitional accommodation spaces for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness: B.C. government
Graeme Wood NOVEMBER 22, 2019
A major housing project in Surrey for those vulnerable to homelessness appears to finally be starting after years in the making.
On Friday, as part of a provincial government media relations blitz on National Housing Day, local politicians put shovels in the ground for the 130-unit supportive and transitional housing project along Green Timbers Way.
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The project faced opposition for its location, as it carves out a slice of a significant green space once intended for conservation and adjoining Green Timbers Urban Forest park. It’s also faced delays with a previously expected opening in June 2021.
Second round of public engagement for Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension kicks off
TransLink to hold five open houses; online survey open until Nov. 17
LAUREN COLLINS and AMY REID Nov. 1, 2019
Busby said TransLink has taken into consideration Green Timbers Urban Forest, the Agricultural Land Reserve and the historic core of Langley.
For Green Timbers, Busby said TransLink is working with environmental stakeholders to design the guideway alignment “to keep the impacts to the forest to the absolute minimum.”
More public engagement begins on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain despite funding gaps
SEAN BOYNTON November 1, 2019
The 140 Street station and the track leading to the next stop at 152 Street will run through Green Timbers Urban Forest, which TransLink says will be protected as best as possible during construction.
Any bylaw trees removed to accommodate the guideway will be replaced, TransLink says. The final location of the 140 Street station will also be decided with the forest in mind.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6115494/surrey-langley-skytrain-public-engagement/
TransLink asks public to weigh in on proposed Surrey to Langley SkyTrain extension
Susan Lazaruk November 1, 2019
TransLink is again inviting the public to respond to its plans to extend SkyTrain to Langley and rapid transit on King George Highway and on 104 Avenue by attending an open house or taking an online survey in the next 2½ weeks.
Fraser Highway SkyTrain extension project enters design public consultation
Kenneth Chan Nov 1 2019
Planning for SkyTrain’s Expo Line Fraser Highway Extension is moving swiftly, with planners at TransLink now seeking public feedback on the essential design elements of the project.
This latest stage of consultation focuses on the proposed locations of the stations and elevated SkyTrain guideway, specifically the segments of the route where the tracks will run on the north or south side of Fraser Highway, or in the centre of the roadway within a median.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fraser-highway-skytrain-public-consultation-november-2019
October
Surrey’s downtown plans under review
More density sought with new SkyTrain extension on the way
Graeme Wood OCTOBER 29, 2019
The area plan envisions Central Surrey as the Lower Mainland’s future second downtown. Its review will be in concert with an existing land use planning review of the Fraser Highway SkyTrain corridor that aims to increase density near proposed stations.
The small expansion to City Centre is aimed at capturing land within 800 metres of the proposed station. But about half that land, to the east of 140th Street, is designated as parkland (Green Timbers Urban Forest).
https://www.vancourier.com/surrey-s-downtown-plans-under-review-1.23991852
Tree falls on power lines in Surrey
Traffic delays expected
LAUREN COLLINS Oct. 25, 2019
Eastbound on 96th Avenue is blocked in the Green Timbers area after a tree fell down onto power lines Friday (Oct. 25).
The incident is just east of Green Timbers Way, according to Surrey Traffic on Twitter. Emergency crews have closed the eastbound lanes and delays are expected.
https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/tree-falls-on-power-lines-in-surrey/
10 places to see fall leaves in and around Vancouver
Jenni Sheppard
Once fall hits the Green Timbers Urban Forest, you’ll be floating on a carpet of golden leaves as you stroll the second growth forest trails, or wander around the picturesque lake.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fall-foliage-leaves-vancouver
Whalley committee urges Surrey to push harder for dollars to house homeless
‘What we are doing is not enough,’ says Bonnie Burnside of the Community Advisory Committee in Whalley
AMY REID and LAUREN COLLINS Oct. 8, 2019
“Burnside acknowledged there are forthcoming projects, including a shelter and transitional facility in Green Timbers that’s been in the works for years. And, she mentioned the 250 promised units of permanent modular housing that are to replace the 160 temporary modular units set up in 2018. These are in addition to an estimated 150 shelter beds currently open in the Whalley area.”
August
Volunteers help remove invasive plants from Surrey park (August 16, 2019)
Environmental groups can be a ‘stepping stone’ for future career
A park in Newton was buzzing with volunteers removing invasive species recently, but the evening wasn’t all about habitat restoration.
Members of SNAP (Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership) and SYSS (Surrey Youth Stewardship Squad) were at Hazelnut Meadows Park in Newton to remove blackberry bushes, an invasive species, but Shenae Borschneck, the program co-ordinator for SNAP, said the day was mainly about SNAP youth getting to mentor SYSS volunteers aged 13 to 17.
https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/volunteers-help-remove-invasive-plants-from-surrey-park/
RCMP to relocate forensic lab from Vancouver to new facility in Surrey (August 13, 2019)
RCMP National Communication Services Cpl. Caroline Duval responded to questions from the Georgia Straight about the new National Forensic Laboratory Services (NFLS) laboratory in Surrey.
Cpl. Duval said that the RCMP’s NFLS in Vancouver is being relocated to the RCMP B.C. Headquarters (which opened in 2013 and cost $1 billion, according to CBC News) at 14200 Green Timbers Way in the Green Timbers area of Surrey.
The new facility, which covers 7,446 square feet, is approximately twice the size of the previous location and will be staffed by 105 employees (NFLS has a total of approximately 300 employees).
https://www.straight.com/news/1284001/rcmp-relocate-forensic-lab-vancouver-new-facility-surrey
Youth volunteers improve South Surrey’s Chantrell Creek Park (August 7, 2019)
Invasive species removal among initiatives of SNAP, SHaRP groups
Young Surrey nature enthusiasts were out in force last week, as part of a team that gathered to enhance Chantrell Creek Park.
In total, 38 volunteers – from Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) and the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) – worked to creative native amphibian habitat, improve beaver-protection fencing and remove invasive plants from the park, which is located at 13741 24 Ave., near the headwaters of Chantrell Creek.
Surrey Youth Team Up to Enhance Chantrell Creek Park (August 6, 2019)
Surrey, BC – Surrey’s youth were out in full force last week caring for nature as members from sister programs, Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) and Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP), took on invasive vegetation and created new wetland habitat at Chantrell Creek Park.
www.surrey.ca/city-government/29820.aspx
July
Surrey-Langley SkyTrain would cost $3.12B, TransLink says (July 19, 2019)
…Green is concerned about the impact to the Serpentine River and the Green Timbers Forest.
“They’re going to have to clear-cut a good chunk of forest on either side of Fraser Highway,” he said.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/surrey-langley-skytrain-would-cost-3-12b-translink-says-1.4515564
June
COLUMN: Surrey council has one consistent advocate for nature (June 5, 2019)
Trees ingest huge amounts of carbon dioxide and are effective in reducing greenhouse gases.
As far as Surrey is concerned, that seems to be of little consequence. Coun. Steven Pettigrew, who appears to be the only consistent advocate for the natural world on council, says council has approved removal of 50,000 trees since it took office in October.
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Meanwhile, Surrey council has given approval for a lease of city-owned property at Green Timbers for transitional and emergency housing. This project has been in the works for years, and housing for these vulnerable people is needed. Too bad it involves the wholesale cutting of trees in one of the city’s two most significant forests.
It won’t be the last time the number of trees in Green Timbers will be reduced. The plan for SkyTrain along Fraser Highway will mean hundreds of trees planted as part of the 1930s reforestation effort (the first major reforestation project in B.C.) will be cut down. The only consolation is that even more would have come down if the former council’s LRT project had gone ahead.
https://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/column-surrey-council-has-one-consistent-advocate-for-nature/
May
Surrey approves lease with province for shelter near Green Timbers forest (May 28, 2019)
The project is to include 99 transitional housing units and 31 emergency shelter beds
A transitional housing facility and emergency shelter near Green Timbers Urban Forest is one step closer to reality.
Surrey council voted Monday night to approve a 60-year lease for the city-owned property, at 9810 Foxglove Dr., to the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation to allow for the development and operation of the facility.
[Floxglove Drive will be a new street coming off of Green Timbers Way]
Green Timbers forest advocates raise concerns about proposed Surrey-Langley SkyTrain route (May 15, 2019)
TransLink says it plans a ‘comprehensive’ environmental screening project review
Advocates for the Green Timbers Urban Forest are voicing environmental impact concerns for the proposed Surrey-Langley SkyTrain route through the forest.
The proposed SkyTrain route would go down Fraser Highway toward Langley and through the Green Timbers Urban Forest.
Surrey Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) team helping to preserve natural heritage for future generations (May 15, 2019)
SPRING is in the air and that means boots on the ground for the 14-member Surrey Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) team.
Fourteen post-secondary students and recent graduates will be employed from now until the end of August, thanks to the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program. They will be working on habitat restoration, urban forest outreach, and tree care. Two more students from high school will be hired for the summer months.
New SkyTrain along Fraser Highway could mean some logging of Green Timbers (May 16, 2019)
There are renewed concerns over what rapid transit along Fraser Highway will mean for the strip of land adjacent to the roadway through Green Timbers Urban Forest in Surrey.
A roughly 1.5-km-long section of Fraser Highway runs through the forested park, which also happens to be the same route the proposed SkyTrain extension will take between King George Station and Langley Centre.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-logging-green-timbers-forest
Green Timbers group worried about Surrey-Langley SkyTrain (May 16, 2019)
TransLink says it will take into account the concerns of the community
The Green Timbers Heritage Society fears the Fraser Highway will be widened to accommodate the train
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – Surrey nature lovers are raising concerns about what the proposed Surrey-Langley SkyTrain could do to Green Timbers, a rare urban forest in the region.
Don Schuetze with the Green Timbers Heritage Society fears the Fraser Highway will be widened to accommodate the train, dividing the beloved green space into smaller areas.
“Instead of having a forest that people can walk through, from the north to the south, now you’ve got a little bit in the south, you’ve got another little fragment in the middle, another little fragment in the north,” says Schuetze.
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“there will be an ineffable damage done to the forest as a whole by widening that area”
https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/05/16/green-timbers-group-worried-about-surrey-langley-skytrain/
February
Heritage Surrey launches time-lapse mapping tool (February 21, 2019)
It matches local historical images to modern-day locations
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A preview on the website shows a picture of Old Yale Road through Green Timbers in 1913, next to a photo of the same location – now called Fraser Highway….
https://www.surreynowleader.com/community/heritage-surrey-launches-time-lapse-mapping-tool/
The dog-lover’s guide to life in North Surrey (February 24, 2019)
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With so many parks to choose from in Surrey, it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite — but if we absolutely had to, it would be Green Timbers Park. (Sorry, not sorry.) One of Surrey’s largest parks, with over 452 acres of wetlands, serene lakes, meadows, and nature trails to explore, it’s a popular place for dog-lovers to spend the day with their pups. While it’s not an off-leash dog park, the huge park offers many trails and areas for you and your dog to enjoy together.
In the heart of the park, you’ll find Green Timbers Lake, which is teeming with rainbow trout — a popular destination for fishing. That’s right, fishing. Right in the middle of the city! While you’re here, please help take care of the park’s sensitive habitats by keeping your dogs on the trail and out of the lake.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/north-surrey-dog-lovers-guide-rennie-centra-2019
Surrey councillor expects 200 more units for homeless to be ‘all over city’ (February 27, 2019)
BC Housing has selected one site for 38 of 250 promised supportive homes set to replace 160 temporary units
Meantime, Locke said construction is set to start soon on a transitional housing project near Green Timbers Urban Forest. Likely, once snow clears, she added.
“All the pieces have been put together. The city has passed it at fourth reading, BC Housing is ready to go, Fraser Health is on board, everybody’s ready. Mother Nature is in the way right now,” said Locke.
The project, on a 12-acre property at 14150 Green Timbers Way, will see a six-storey facility built across from the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre. According to BC Housing, it will have 96 supportive housing units and 27 “transitional accommodation units” which are described as “individual self-contained rooms,” not group-style shelter beds.
