The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will meet this Monday evening to consider their staff recommendation "That the Jericho Marginal Wharf be demolished for reasons of public safety and ecological restoration." They need to hear from users of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Reasons to support removal of the wharf

There are several reasons to support removal of the wharf but we'll start with the two noted in the Park Board Staff report and work from there to the most important reason for users of the Jericho Sailing Centre:

1. Public Safety - the wharf was not designed to last the 70 years it has stood and is in an advanced state of decay. Many novice users of the Jericho Sailing Centre have been blown and washed into the creosote pilings - a natural beach is a far safer landing zone.
 

2. Ecological - the Park Board recently received a report from the Department of Oceans and Fisheries outling the negative impact the wharf has on marine life. What is bad for the fish is also bad for kayakers, windsurfers, canoeists, dinghy sailors, etc. The reinstatement of natural shoreline will be immensely valuable for wildlife and will support a primary goal of the Vancouver 2020 A bright Green Future Action Plan; to improve access to nature.
 

3. Economics - the cost to remove the wharf has been included in the Park Board Capital Plan budget since 2006. While the cost of removal or rehabilitation is comparable, ongoing maintenance costs make removal the most cost effective use of taxpayer dollars.

4. Historical - the wharf was built and used by the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1939-1947. It covers a natural beach that was used by the Jericho Beach Air Station from 1920-1938. Prior to YVR's opening in 1929 this beach was Vancouver's airport. Human settlement in the Jericho Park area goes back thousands of years and for most of that time small boats have been launched from this beach.

5. Future Use - the majority of the original wharf was removed in 1978 to make room for low cost public ocean access in naturally powered watercraft through the Jericho Sailing Centre. Since that time the population of Vancouver has more than doubled and usage of the Jericho Sailing Centre has increased more than ten fold. At the current rate of growth the JSCA will be hard pressed to meet future demand for SAFE low cost ocean access within the same congested launch area.

How Democracy Works

In the original Park Board public process the overwhelming majority of people supported the removal of the wharf. In July 2008 the Park Board voted 5-1 to remove all but a 5,000 square foot section - a compromise supported by the JSCA. Since that time there has been a significant change in the elected Park Board and wharf advocates, although in a minority, have been successful in getting their message listened to. Democracy works best when people get involved. 

Use Your Voice