Editor:
I live in a highrise with a great view of the Fraser River.
Daily, I see pleasure boats come up the north arm of the Fraser and idle past our beautiful waterfront. They are looking for a place to tie up for a bit so that they can go up to the market for something to eat and to do a little shopping.
Many are from Vancouver, so they are accustomed to the hospitality shown to boats at Granville Island. But at New West they find no such short-term moorage. Eventually, they turn back down, homeward, with the Fraser’s currents taking them away from our beautiful river city.
Why is there no public moorage in New West? For over 100 years, there was an excellent fisherman’s wharf that welcomed small work boats and pleasure boats. The redevelopment of the waterfront in the 1980s and later has done away with all of that. The city that was founded on, and because of, the Fraser River no longer allows public access. They are painted an attractive white and lined with flower beds, but the iron bars along the length of the esplanade are clearly intended to serve the same purpose as prison bars.
Are we locking the public in or out? When will we have public moorage on our waterfront?
Take care and stay safe.
Alan Haig-Brown, New Westminster
