Help needed to battle bushes

Stewards of Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest are wasting no time adding care for a newly designated section of the urban park to their to-do list.

A community invasive plant removal and planting event is to take place near 18A Avenue and 146 Street on Nov. 14.

The area “is in the process of being reclassified from park to urban forest park,” said Ron Meadley, of the Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society.

“We wanted to initiate the activity under the urban forest umbrella and start looking after those areas.”

The City of Surrey sought the public’s approval in June to add two parcels of forested land within South Surrey Athletic Park, and two portions of unopened road allowance, to the urban forest, with an aim to protecting the lands against future development.

Meadley said the bylaw sealing the deal should be finalized shortly.

In the meantime, anyone wanting to pitch in Nov. 14 is welcome. The plan is to remove invasive blackberry bushes from a strip of forested land on the north side of 18A Avenue near 146 Street. At the same time, hundreds of native plants and trees will be planted.

“We basically want to make the forest edge as natural as we can,” said Meadley.

Starbucks has committed to donating $10 per person hour, to a maximum of $1,000. The money will benefit future SAHS projects.

The event will go ahead rain or shine. Equipment and refreshments will be provided.

+More Community Headlines
<Back to Mobile Edition