MEDIA RELEASE

May 22, 2012

Partnerships Create First Interregional Park on Sumas Mountain

The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and Metro Vancouver announced today an agreement to jointly protect and enhance lands in the Sumas Mountain area for conservation and recreation.

The two regional districts will work together to plan, manage and engage others in ’s first “interregional” park.

The Sumas Mountain Interregional Park will include existing park lands currently managed by the FVRD and also incorporate greenspace on the mountain’s south and west flanks owned by Metro Vancouver and the City of Abbotsford.

Together, those lands span a total of 1,568 hectares in the heart of the Fraser Valley - an area equivalent in size to almost four Stanley Parks.

Sumas Mountain – a prominent landmark that towers over the flat floodplain of the – is a destination for hikers, cyclists, equestrians and naturalists. The mountain is also a biodiversity hotspot. More than 40 species at risk have been identified on the mountain, including the Peregrine Falcon, mountain beaver and red- legged frog. It is also the cultural home of the Sto:lo and the Sumas First Nation.

“Today’s announcement is a result of a multi-agency collaboration; without the efforts of all those involved, the creation of the Sumas Mountain Interregional Park would not have been possible,” said Sharon Gaetz, Chair of the FVRD Board. “The park is already a ‘green haven’ for visitors from both regions and the joining of the two regional districts’ efforts will ensure that the area’s rich ecosystem is preserved and continues to thrive.”

Chief Dalton Silver of the Sumas First Nation also expressed his enthusiasm about the project and partnership: “The Sumas Band is looking forward to working with both Regional Districts to ensure that our heritage and culture on Sumas Mountain is protected for future generations.”

Metro Vancouver Chair Greg Moore said the partnership also supports Experience the Fraser, a multi-government initiative to link natural, cultural, heritage and recreation amenities along the Lower Fraser River.

“We can now start to plan a trail system that will connect recently acquired park lands on the west flank of Sumas Mountain with Matsqui Trail Regional Park on the Fraser River,” Chair Moore said. “By working together to harmonize the planning and management of park lands on Sumas Mountain, we are also helping to preserve biodiversity and supporting a larger initiative to boost tourism and connect communities

along the Lower Fraser, from Hope to the .”

City of Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman said the new partnerships will expand opportunities for trails that can link regional park lands with City communities and support the City’s green infrastructure network.

“It is important to protect habitat now and create recreation opportunities for the growing populations of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley,” Mayor Banman said. “I encourage all residents to spend some time enjoying the park this summer and discover its diverse natural beauty, the summit views of the valley and Chadsey Lake.”

For more information, please contact Metro Vancouver at 604-432-6200

BACKGROUNDER

May 22, 2012

Partnerships Create First Interregional Park on Sumas Mountain

In 1966, Sumas Mountain was identified as a major component of a regional parks plan for the Lower Mainland.

In 1991, Metro Vancouver and the City of Abbotsford purchased a 28-hectare parcel of land as a connector between Sumas Mountain and Matsqui Trail Regional Park.

In 1995, the Province of British Columbia established Sumas Mountain Provincial Park, which was approximately 200 hectares in size and centred around Chadsey Lake .

In 2002, the Province established Sumas Mountain Regional Park, allocating 1,168 hectares of the east and west flanks of Sumas Mountain for the park through a lease to the Fraser Valley Regional District.

Because of municipal and electoral area boundary changes that occurred in 2008, the western part of the park now lies fully within the boundaries of the City of Abbotsford and the eastern part is within the Fraser Valley Regional District’s Electoral Area ‘G’. For regional park purposes, Abbotsford is a member of Metro Vancouver.

Abbotsford owns 207 ha of land on the west and south flank of Sumas Mountain that is designated municipal greenspace. Abbotsford and Metro Vancouver also co-own 28 ha of parkland on the west flank. In February 2011, Metro Vancouver announced the purchase of additional park lands (67 ha) on the mountain’s west flank. 1

In September 2011, representatives of the Fraser Valley Regional District and Metro Vancouver signed an agreement to create an “interregional park”. The two regional districts agreed to work together cooperatively to harmonize the planning and management of lands in the Sumas Mountain area for conservation and recreational purposes. Each regional district will be responsible for the management, construction, operation and maintenance of lands within its jurisdiction. The City of Abbotsford also agreed to lease its greenspace to Metro Vancouver to be added to the interregional park.

Sumas Mountain Interregional Park encompasses a total of 1,471 hectares.

The Fraser Valley Regional District will hold tenure on Sumas Mountain Park lands in Electoral Area ‘G’. These lands include

- 715 hectares of land on the western flank.

Metro Vancouver will hold tenure on Sumas Mountain parklands in the City of Abbotsford. These lands include:

- 454 hectares of leased provincial land on the west and southeastern flanks - 207 hectares of City of Abbotsford-owned land on the western and southeast flanks - 67 hectares of Metro Vancouver-owned land - 28 hectares of land jointly owned by the City of Abbotsford and Metro Vancouver

New park land on the west flank of Sumas Mountain will create a wildlife corridor and potential trail route that links Sumas park lands with the Fraser River foreshore conserved by Matsqui Trail Regional Park.

Sumas Mountain Regional Park and its connection to the Fraser River support the Experience the Fraser Project a joint initiative of the Province of BC, FVRD and Metro Vancouver. That project is creating a plan which celebrates the Fraser River’s natural and cultural heritage, enhances outdoor recreation opportunities, showcases the regions’ riverfront communities and promotes the Lower Fraser River Corridor as one of the world’s great tourist destinations.

Experience the Fraser will connect residents and visitors with communities, nature and the river by creating an opportunity for a multi-use trail network, blueway and related amenities along the Lower Fraser River Corridor, from Hope to the .

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