We are concerned that there is limited public awareness with regard to the proposal for an upscale restaurant in a large new building (5,000 to 7,000 sq. ft.) at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody. The large sign at the east end of the Murray Street parking lot contains the information about the upgrading of Rocky Point Park, but fails to include any mention of a restaurant, either in the print or on the map.

Rocky Point Park and the surrounding trails are well used by many regular visitors who value them for the brief escape from daily routines that they currently offer - recreation, nature, picnicking and special events.

In our opinion, there is no satisfactory rationale for providing public space for an imposing new building to house a restaurant, particularly in such a small park.

(For the record, this is not an objection to Pajos, as Pajos is established, relatively small, with minimal visual impact, and has been at the park for a very long time. It is also not located on the shoreline, as is proposed for the new building.)

If this proposal moves forward, it sets a dangerous precedent, particularly with regard to public parkland. If the city wishes to encourage private ventures, it should do so within the parameters of the existing OCP and bylaws and not resort to amending the plan to suit the agenda of the current council.

While it is certainly worthwhile to encourage and support local business, the development of Port Moody must be done carefully - remembering that existing plans and bylaws were created with a great deal of community input.

Rocky Point Park (along with the adjoining parklands) is soon to have many more visitors with the new residential developments on Murray Street, at Newport, and elsewhere. To lose open space seems contrary to the needs of a growing population.

We need more green space for the increased population, not large restaurants in small parks.

A restaurant with a water view may be appealing to many, but public parkland should not be sacrificed to accommodate this desire.

Some years ago, prior to the building of the boathouse structure at the south end of the boat parking lot, the local media reported on a plan to upgrade Rocky Point Park. One of the central elements was the creation of one new building to incorporate the functions of the many scattered existing buildings (weather station, caretaker's residence, public washrooms, a community building that serves for daycare and other purposes, etc.). Additional green space would be created with the removal of the older, smaller buildings.

Since that time, the boathouse has been erected and now there are plans for the consolidated new building described above, plus a third building to house a restaurant, plus more asphalt in the form of additional parking (already "de-greened" space is adjacent to the established Murray Street parking).

Rocky Point Park is a jewel (admittedly in need of some TLC.) Let's carry on with some of the sensible plans such as stabilizing the shoreline, upgrading existing facilities and enhancing and promoting green space, and think very carefully about its future.

Hazel Mason, Louis Sztrigan, Shani Sztrigan and Adam Glackman
Port Moody