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We've recently received reports that there have been new No Parking signs installed in the Zopkios parking area. This severely limits parking in the areas with trailheads for Needle, Nak, Coquihalla Summit, and other destinations popular for both winter and summer use. This not only greatly reduces recreational opportunities in that immediate area, but also puts further pressure on other areas that are already in high demand. Additionally, having cars towed from this area during bad weather is a safety concern. If someone comes off the trail cold and fatigued to find their vehicle gone, there is no easy way to get assistance.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Letters Regarding Rubble Creek Access}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Letters Regarding Rubble Creek Access}}
[[File:PB210006.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:PB210006.jpg|thumb]]   
There is currently a lack of winter access to the Rubble Creek trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park due to the “no parking / tow away” signs installed in mid-February 2020. As a result, there are only two winter access points to the Park, namely Elfin Lake / Diamond Head and Singing Pass, both of which have their own access limitations. At a meeting between BC parks and various stakeholders on December 1st, BC Parks informed us that their request for funding to plow this road and parking lot leading to the Garibaldi Lake Trail was denied.  
 
The Mandate Letter for the Minister of Environment specifically calls for "new funding to improve infrastructure, and ensure provincial parks remain affordable for British Columbians (more details [https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/ENV-Heyman-mandate.pdf here])." As of now, the provincial government is failing to adequately allocate resources to ensure access to recreational opportunities throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.
 
If you participate in winter backcountry recreation, this issue is likely to have a significant impact on your ability to recreate within Garibaldi Provincial Park. Additionally, with one area less accessible to the public, all other areas will experience an increase in use, which has a negative environmental impact, and poses a safety risk for all users. 
 
If you are disappointed by the lack of adequate response from BC parks and the provincial government, '''we invite you to write an email or letter to your elected representative'''.


On behalf of the FMCBC, VOC, and all Sea to Sky backcountry users, we thank you for your support!  
If you are disappointed by the lack of consideration for recreationalists, '''we invite you to write an email or letter to your elected representative'''.


=== Who Should I contact? ===
=== Who Should I contact? ===
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** South Coast Planning Section Regional Director: Jennie Aikman <Mailto:Jennie.Aikman@gov.bc.ca >
** South Coast Planning Section Regional Director: Jennie Aikman <Mailto:Jennie.Aikman@gov.bc.ca >
** Issues Manager:  Launa Murai <Mailto:Launa.Murai@gov.bc.ca >
** Issues Manager:  Launa Murai <Mailto:Launa.Murai@gov.bc.ca >
** District Manager: Rob Wilson <[Mailto:Robert.W.Wilson@gov.bc.ca]>
'''References for other contacts:'''
'''References for other contacts:'''


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==== Possible Talking Points: ====
==== Possible Talking Points: ====
* Have you been deterred from recreating in Garibaldi Park due to the lack of plowing on the road?
* This is a year round access point
* Lack of plowing is a safety concern for users- coming back after a trip to find your car towed increases risk of hypothermia and other incidents. Garibaldi Lake has lower avalanche hazard than many other trails in our area.  
* Reducing parking in this area will put further demand on other recreational areas and access points, such as the Falls Lake turnoff.
* Importance of outdoor recreation opportunities during COVID
* Towing cars from this area is extremely dangerous- if a person comes back during bad weather to find their car towed, there is no easy way to get assistance.  
* Access issues in the Sea to Sky Corridor are becoming more frequent- recreationalists are loosing access to outdoor spaces at an alarming rate.
* The lack of consultation with recreationalists is highly concerning


==== External Sources to Include: ====
=== Template  ===
* [https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/sea-to-sky/outdoor-clubs-winter-parking-rubble-creek-2910105 Pique Article]
'''Subject:''' Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area: Restrictions in Zopkios Parking Area
* [https://www.squamishreporter.com/2020/11/26/open-winter-access-to-rubble-creek-trailhead-in-garibaldi-park/?fbclid=IwAR2fatKcP2B1GUU-CybThx__I3htcNdm8YnE5JcRFaIuiWTzSxgxruDRao8 Letter from FMCBC]
* [https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/ENV-Heyman-mandate.pdf Environment Ministry Mandate]:  
<blockquote>"Recognizing the heightened importance of outdoor recreation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, guide work to create new campgrounds, trails, and protected areas; propose new funding to improve infrastructure; and ensure provincial parks remain affordable for British Columbians." </blockquote>


=== Template 1 ===
TO:  '''''EMAILS OF SELECTED PEOPLE ABOVE'''''
'''Subject:''' Garibaldi Provincial Park: Plowing of Rubble Creek Access Road and Parking Lot at Trailhead


TO:  EMAILS OF SELECTED PEOPLE ABOVE
Dear '''''NAMES OF PEOPLE SELECTED''''',


Dear NAMES OF PEOPLE SELECTED,
I am writing about the newly installed No Parking signs in the Zopkios parking area.


I am writing about the lack of winter access to the Rubble Creek trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park due to the “no parking / tow away” signs installed in mid-February 2020. 
This parking area services trailheads that provide important recreational opportunities, and the new regulations prevent me from being able to recreate in the designated recreation area.  


I would like to see the government push to get Daisy Lake Road to the Garibaldi Lake trailhead ploughed this winter. '''LAST SPRING/THIS AUTUMN/ on DATE''' I was discouraged from accessing the park due to the lack of parking and tow away signs. 
In the past, I have parked in this area to access
 
* '''''Needle'''''
In the past, I have used this trailhead to access:
* '''''Nak'''''
* Taylor Meadows
* '''''Coquihalla Summit'''''
* Garibaldi Lake
* Black Tusk
* Mount Price
* Panorama Ridge
* Garibaldi Neve traverse
* Sphinx/Burton Hut
I enjoy:
I enjoy:
* FORMS OF BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION
* '''''FORMS OF BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION (Ski touring, snowshoeing, hiking, etc)'''''
* LENGTHS OF TRIPS (day or overnight)
* '''''LENGTHS OF TRIPS (day or overnight)'''''
With the growing interest in winter backcountry recreation (snowshoeing, hiking and ski touring) and the huge urban populations in the Lower Mainland and communities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, BC simply cannot afford to lose access to Rubble Creek.  
* '''''Season during which you use this area'''''
With the growing interest in winter backcountry recreation (snowshoeing, hiking and ski touring) and the huge urban populations in the Lower Mainland and communities in Hope and the surrounding area, BC cannot afford to have access restricted any further.  


I am getting very frustrated and disheartened by the continual loss of non-motorized, backcountry recreation opportunities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and am hoping to see the current government implement better access. 
I am getting very frustrated and disheartened by the continual loss of non-motorized, backcountry recreation opportunities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and am hoping to see the current government implement better access. 


I understand that the cost to plow the access road and some parking is between $12,000-$18,000/year which seems reasonable considering vehicles that park on the Rubble Creek access road are being towed. This is extremely dangerous. If someone comes off the trail cold and fatigued to find their vehicle gone, there is no easy way to get assistance.
Please work with recreational stakeholders as well as other government offices to find a more suitable solution.  
 
Please re-establish winter parking  in Rubble Creek for this winter season.


Best regards,
Best regards,


NAME
'''''NAME'''''
 
TITLES/AFFILIATION
 
=== Template 2 ===
Subject: Plowing access road and parking area for Garibaldi Lake
 
Dear [MLA name] and Hon. George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
 
I’m concerned about the lack of parking for winter backcountry users along the Sea-to-Sky corridor especially at the Garibaldi Lake trail parking lot near Rubble Creek.
 
I support the FMCBC’s request to have the access road and parking lot plowed.


Please make this happen!
'''''TITLES/CLUB AFFILIATIONS'''''


__NOTOC__
__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 22:47, 30 December 2020

We've recently received reports that there have been new No Parking signs installed in the Zopkios parking area. This severely limits parking in the areas with trailheads for Needle, Nak, Coquihalla Summit, and other destinations popular for both winter and summer use. This not only greatly reduces recreational opportunities in that immediate area, but also puts further pressure on other areas that are already in high demand. Additionally, having cars towed from this area during bad weather is a safety concern. If someone comes off the trail cold and fatigued to find their vehicle gone, there is no easy way to get assistance.


If you are disappointed by the lack of consideration for recreationalists, we invite you to write an email or letter to your elected representative.

Who Should I contact?

References for other contacts:

BC Parks Board

Ministers

Deputy Ministers

MLAs

What Should I say?

Here are some templates and discussion points that you can use to help structure your letter. The more personalized, the better! Please include any past experiences you have had with restricted access in the area, and any outdoor clubs/ organizations you may be affiliated with.

Possible Talking Points:

  • This is a year round access point
  • Reducing parking in this area will put further demand on other recreational areas and access points, such as the Falls Lake turnoff.
  • Towing cars from this area is extremely dangerous- if a person comes back during bad weather to find their car towed, there is no easy way to get assistance.
  • The lack of consultation with recreationalists is highly concerning

Template

Subject: Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area: Restrictions in Zopkios Parking Area

TO:  EMAILS OF SELECTED PEOPLE ABOVE

Dear NAMES OF PEOPLE SELECTED,

I am writing about the newly installed No Parking signs in the Zopkios parking area.

This parking area services trailheads that provide important recreational opportunities, and the new regulations prevent me from being able to recreate in the designated recreation area.

In the past, I have parked in this area to access

  • Needle
  • Nak
  • Coquihalla Summit

I enjoy:

  • FORMS OF BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION (Ski touring, snowshoeing, hiking, etc)
  • LENGTHS OF TRIPS (day or overnight)
  • Season during which you use this area

With the growing interest in winter backcountry recreation (snowshoeing, hiking and ski touring) and the huge urban populations in the Lower Mainland and communities in Hope and the surrounding area, BC cannot afford to have access restricted any further.

I am getting very frustrated and disheartened by the continual loss of non-motorized, backcountry recreation opportunities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and am hoping to see the current government implement better access. 

Please work with recreational stakeholders as well as other government offices to find a more suitable solution.

Best regards,

NAME

TITLES/CLUB AFFILIATIONS


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