Concern that mature trees could be lost to expansion of a South 性视界传媒 cemetery has stewards of Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest encouraging the public to add their voices to the discussion.
"We need to preserve as much of the last remaining natural 'mature forest' areas in 性视界传媒, and as contiguous areas rather than fragmented pieces," details on explain.
"The track record of the Sunnyside Lawn expansion in the last couple of years, unfortunately, has been to clear-cut the forest."
Expanding the 29-acre cemetery 鈥� located at 14850 28 Ave. 鈥� is the focus of a master plan being developed by the City of 性视界传媒 to boost capacity and provide improvements for visitors.
According to the city, Sunnyside Lawn is the only one of its three municipal cemeteries where expansion is possible.
Earlier this year, $1 million was earmarked in the city's proposed Major General Capital Program for Phase 1 of the project.
A master plan, information at surrey.ca continues, aims to increase its capacity while being sensitive to the existing forest; offer new and diverse interment option; ensure expansion adheres to archeological and environmental regulations; and continue to protect Semiahmoo Trail and other site features.
SAHS describes the area of concern as approximately 30 acres of mature second-growth forest south of 28 Avenue and east of 148 Street. In addition to the trees, flora and fauna, it encompasses a section of the historic Semiahmoo Trail.
"This land 鈥� is a treasured gem in our community used by walkers and riders alike," Andrea Zeitz comments in a post to the White Rock/South 性视界传媒 Community Group Facebook page.
性视界传媒 Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts "has joined forces with Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society, White Rock and 性视界传媒 Naturalists, and 性视界传媒 Environmental Partners to oppose the destruction of this wonderful forest to expand the cemetery," the post continues.
The South 性视界传媒 greenspace has been a protected urban forest since 1988.
Opportunities planned by the city so far to gather public input on the cemetery plan include an online survey running Nov. 14 till Dec. 5, and an open house from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 20, in the Turnbull Gallery at the South 性视界传媒 Recreation & Arts Centre (14601 20 Ave.).
Some community members have already posed questions about the project online, including one asking if the city has considered human composting as an interment option, or would consider banning permanent grave markers.
"Cutting down forests and planting grass on perpetually dedicated land to satisfy practices that are becoming archaic should be made prohibitively expensive," the commenter notes.
In response, city officials confirm locations for "green burials" are being considered, but that "terramation" 鈥� the process of transforming human remains into soil 鈥� is still pending government approval.
"However, consideration for a terramation garden, an area to receive soil remains from the terramation process, is being reviewed as a potential servicing offering in the longer term for the cemetery."
Asked what the design has to do with the Semiahmoo, the response notes a commitment to "protect the heritage value and character of this important public amenity."
Asked about tree-cutting and measures to protect wildlife, the city's response notes that as no design decisions have yet been made, "the amount of tree removal and impact to wildlife has not yet been determined."
