DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH REPORT TO: Council FOR: Committee of the Whole PRESENTED: November 21, 2006 FILE: FROM: Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism SUBJECT: Presentation of Smoke Bluffs Park Development Plan Recommendation: For Information 1. Purpose: To inform Council of what has transpired since 2004 in the creation of the Smoke Bluffs Development Plan in preparation for adoption of the Plan plus the first three readings of the Smoke Bluffs Park Commission By-law at the Council meeting of December 5, 2006. 2. Time Critical: It has been the goal of the Smoke Bluffs Planning Group to have the above noted items adopted prior to the end of 2006. 3. Background: In 2004 representatives of the local rock climbing community met with Mayor Sutherland to encourage the District to undertake a process to preserve Smoke Bluffs Park as an area for rock climbing as well as for the other recreational users in the community. A planning group was struck and has worked diligently over the past three years to develop a plan that would entrench the park as a multi-use area that also preserves the rock climbing features and right to climb. Part of this work was the creation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and the Federation of Mountain Clubs (FMC), which outlines the guidelines for the eventual transfer of adjacent FMC lands to the District for incorporation into the park. The work of the planning group has come to a conclusion and representatives of the group are going to be present inform Council of the following information: A very quick overview of what has taken place and how the presentation will be made The Smoke Bluffs Park Development Plan The proposed by-law for the creation of a Smoke Bluffs Park Commission The outline of a climbing strategy which, at it’s conclusion, will result in the responsibilities of the District and those of the climbing community in the preservation L:\WPDocs\COUNCIL\Form.wpd Page 1 climbing areas and the right to climb within the boundaries of the District of Squamish. This information is being presented to Council at this time as the work of the planning committee began prior to the last municipal election and some of Council may not be fully aware of the work that has taken place nor the process to develop the plan and by-law. In this way Council will be fully informed prior to the proposed adoption of the plan and introduction of the first three readings of the Smoke Bluffs Commission By-law on December 5, 2006. The Development Plan, proposed Commission By-law and outline of the Climbing Strategy are attached for Council’s information prior to the presentation on November 21st. 5. Department Comments: Staff of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Department of Planning have been working actively with the planning committee group throughout the process and highly endorse the plan being presented as well as the creation of the Smoke Bluffs Park Commission. __________________________________________ Bob Kusch Director of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Attach: Smoke Bluffs Development Plan Smoke Bluffs Commission By-law Outline of Climbing Strategy L:\WPDocs\COUNCIL\Form.wpd Page 2 Development Plan for Smoke Bluffs Park, Squamish, B.C. ADVENTURE CENTRE DOWNTOWN Presented to the District of Squamish by the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Group May 2006 Ï N Development Plan for Smoke Bluffs Park, Squamish, B.C. Submitted to: District of Squamish Prepared by: Ethan Askey, Confluence Environmental Consulting On behalf of: The Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Group With the participation of: Squamish Trails Society Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association Squamish Access Society Climbers’ Access Society of BC Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC Howe Sound Trials Riders Association Residents of the Area and District of Squamish May 2006 Development Plan for Smoke Bluffs Park May 29, 2006 Message to the Reader from the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Group This Park Development Plan was more than a year in the making, the result of countless hours of volunteer time for meetings, the exchange and debate of ideas, and consensus-building. The plan is built around a vision for Smoke Bluffs Park, and a framework designed to achieve that vision through the planned enhancement and stewardship of the park by District of Squamish in collaboration with community members, recreation organizations, and other partners. The Mayor and Council in 2004 committed seed funding and resources to help create this plan through the efforts of our Advisory Group, comprising representatives of local and provincial recreation organizations, other interested citizens, and members of District staff and Council. As elements of the plan began to take shape early in 2005, members of the Advisory Group contacted all residents of the immediate area to invite them to an “open house” meeting to exchange ideas concerning park use, potential enhancements, and any management issues or concerns. Information also has been shared with Squamish Nation and stakeholders including neighbouring landowners and developers, BC Hydro, and BC Transmission Corporation. It is anticipated that various parties having interest in some aspect or other of Smoke Bluffs Park and its management, and members of the general public, may be stimulated by this document to engage in future discussions and decisions concerning the area. At the outset it may be helpful to clarify what is a “park development plan”. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary includes the following in its definitions for the verb “develop”: • Create or design; • Realize the resource potential of; • Bring or come to an active or visible state; • Make or become bigger or fuller; and • Elaborate more fully and systematically the details of. The following definitions are offered for “development”: • A stage of growth or advancement; and • A significant change in a course of action, events, circumstances, etc. This Park Development Plan is concerned with the appropriate use, stewardship, and enhancement of select parcels of land comprising the Smoke Bluffs Park, and associated legal, governmental and administrative matters. While the core park area (DL 1957) was officially zoned for public use in 1995, additional areas of land owned by the District of Squamish and by others retain non-park zoning despite their intended inclusion in the park. Still other parcels of land that lay adjacent to the park area are designated but not yet developed for residential use, and are not well distinguished from the park “on the ground”. This document outlines the recreation resource values and potential of the Smoke Bluffs Park area, and maps out a course of action designed to bring the area into a visibly fuller and more formalized state as a bona fide park that the community can enjoy, share, and leave as a valuable legacy for future generations. Note that this Park Development Plan at the time of its submission for consideration by the Mayor and Council does not necessarily reflect current District of Squamish policy; the suggested actions and priorities presented herein reflect the judgment and aspirations of the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Group. Page i Development Plan for Smoke Bluffs Park May 29, 2006 CONTENTS Message to the Reader from the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Group ......................................................... i Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................iii 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Introducing Smoke Bluffs Park ............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 A Brief Recent History of the Smoke Bluffs......................................................................................... 2 2.0 THE PARK PLANNING PROCESS..................................................................................................... 3 2.0 THE PARK PLANNING PROCESS..................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Vision Statement.................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Goals for the Park .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 A Development Plan for the Park.......................................................................................................... 4 2.4 A Summary of Key Issues Affecting Smoke Bluffs Park...................................................................... 5 3.0 THE PARK NOW ................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Role and Significance of the Park.......................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Park Boundaries and Administration..................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Landforms and Physical Attributes........................................................................................................ 9 3.4 Ecological Values and Processes..........................................................................................................