Friends of Bear Creek Park welcome wetlands work planned along King Creek in Surrey

Friends of Bear Creek Park are welcoming planned environmental improvements along King Creek in Surrey, describing the work as a rare advance for protecting the ecologically sensitive area.

The group, formed in 2021 to oppose the extension of 84 Avenue between King George Boulevard and 140 Street, has advocated for protection of wetlands south of the road. Member Kevin Purton said the group calls the area the Southlands and believes it should receive legal protection as part of Bear Creek Park and an extension of land north of 84 Avenue.

City hall is reviewing tenders for an environmental offsetting pond, an environmental enhancement pond and side channels along King Creek. City council has approved close to $2 million for related projects. Bids for excavation and earthworks, berm construction, an optional design-build irrigation system, riparian planting and site restoration closed Aug. 27.

Member Annie Kaps said the tender process signals that work will begin soon, and credited Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke with launching an environmental subcommittee years ago to get the project moving. She said work must account for fish-risk periods and the nesting-bird season, making it a two-year project. King Creek is a barely visible Class A Red-listed watercourse that has been encroached upon by blackberries.

The area will not be open to the public. Kaps hopes the extensive fish-rearing pond preserve will begin at the city parking lot between the gurdwara and mandir on 140 Street. She said food left by people feeding pigeons there attracts rats, while garbage is also being dumped closer to King George Boulevard.

Nearby resident Julie Cotton said the road pushed through the park has created a new dumping ground, and alleged that wildlife has been killed repeatedly on it. She also said restricted right-turn-only access from her complex and the possibility of being unable to leave after a road collision add to residents’ frustration.