Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on November 16, 2015, 11:00:30 AM
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Starting on January 1st, the City of Chilliwack will be closing the vehicle access on the trail down to the railway bridge. Anglers will have to park in that open area at the entrance to the trail and walk down if you wish to fish that stretch. This makes no difference to me, but it's unfortunate as the stretch above the railway bridge is a good access spot for those with mobility issues but still wish to fish. It's also the only wheelchair access spot available.
Chris can tell you more about it as he has been working hard on persuading the city to change their mind but the decision was most likely already made before the dialogue began.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151116-1_zpsihgfjuxp.jpg)
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What is the reason(s) for closing it ? ???
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Garbage.
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It's a real shame irresponsible people have made this closure necessary, at least in the eyes of the people mandated to clean this area, the city of Chilliwack. Kudos to Chris, Dean, Nick and the others who fought hard to keep this area open to vehicle access.
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Garbage.
If that's the reason, when are they closing the rest of the river? LOL
Seriously though, this may be a good thing. Make access a little more difficult, less crowded potentially, and we won't have idiots driving their cars down into the riverbed anymore.
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I feel for the people who cant just walk from the gates to the spots but at the same time this will remove so much pressure from some very nice water for steelhead and salmon.
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Overall I think this is a good thing if only to stop people from parking on the gravel bars up from the train bridge.
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About time.
That area has been disrespected too long.
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Overall I think this is a good thing if only to stop people from parking on the gravel bars up from the train bridge.
I tend to agree with Ralph.
If they were going to put in some infrastructure to support those with access issues, and allow for better patrol of the area, and limit access to the river by vehicles with barriers, and improve garbage disposal/cleanup, then road access to the area could work.
But as things are now it is best to close this area for vehicle access. In my experience the easier it is for people to get to the river and catch fish (without any patrol by an authority figure regularly such as police, bylaw officer or CO) the more dummies there are.
To be honest the city of Chilliwack and their RCMP should be treating the Vedder more like a popular regional beach. It probably draws just as many people from the region during high season. This could look something like Vancouver does in the summer with police driving around in ATVs. Anyways it always surprised me how little presence there is on the river.
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What floater said. While this is great for people like myself who don't mind the walk, those who physically cannot are losing more opportunities to enjoy the privileges which I have.
Although some littering is done by anglers, most of the garbage problems occur at night from gatherings or deliberate dumpings etc. Chris and others have suggested that night time closures by having the entrance gated from sundown to sunrise is a better solution.
Most are not aware of this, the city is reminded by FVSS directors like Chris each year to (re)open the key vehicle accesses in the lower river. One of the river cleanups' objectives is to maintain these heavily used areas so we do not lose access. Once access is lost, the problem is simply pushed to somewhere else. The parking at the entrance to the Rotary Trail will be an issue next season with this closure.
I do agree that vehicles need to stay off all gravel banks. It's something I've written about on the website since ten years ago.
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seems to be if that logic was followed there's be vehicle access in every place where it environmentally and aesthetically not appropriate. Society needs to develop more sensitive ways for people with mobility issues to access such places other than gas powered vehicles.
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When I fish the lower I do often find myself in that area. I am fine with a bit more of a walk but vehicle access is kind of nice. The unfortunate part is I do know people that fish the run above the train bridge a lot because of mobility issues. Whether it is fishing, or any other outdoor activities (atv riding, horseback riding, hiking, 4x4ing) it is such a common theme to see more and more access closed to the masses because of the actions of a few.
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Although I'd rather see an approach that would allow people with mobility issues to access the area with their vehicles, I can't say I will be sad to see the idiots (and their vehicles) who caused this removed from the picture.
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Although some littering is done by anglers, most of the garbage problems occur at night from gatherings or deliberate dumpings etc. Chris and others have suggested that night time closures by having the entrance gated from sundown to sunrise is a better solution.
Will they be "deactivating" the road by installing barriers to stop the vehicles (day and night?).
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this area is polluted with ignorant pigs from June through October . This is great news imo. There is already dozens of access points directly beside the river from the canal all the way to limithole. People with severe disabilities should be fishing areas with more people to watch over them anyways(crossing to lickman) . Areas such as limit hole, prison, cedars, washout, fort apache, slesse trailer park, sections of tamahi , Osborne rd, upper Wilson area, crossing , peach lickman both sides, bergman. community area, and sections of the canal already provide excellent access to people with specific disabilities . This sounds more like a whining of a few people who don't want to walk a little. Best news for the Chilliwack/vedder river system i'v heard in a while!
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Will they be "deactivating" the road by installing barriers to stop the vehicles (day and night?).
Gate already in place.they will lock it most likely. I cant see vehicle getting around it with the walking trail to the right and large trees and rocks on either side of the gate. But the idiots do seem to find a way sometimes.
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I don't necessarily have a problem with the closure as it should definitely address the garbage dumping issue in that immediate area, however it will undoubtedly move those problems elsewhere.
If anything it should bring awareness to many users that the garbage issue is bigger then they had realised and hopefully forces users to be more involved in caring for the resource, taking part in clean ups and trying to ensure these areas are looked after far better then they are currently otherwise these closures are inevitable and will be more widespread and common in the future...
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this area is polluted with ignorant pigs from June through October . This is great news imo. There is already dozens of access points directly beside the river from the canal all the way to limithole. People with severe disabilities should be fishing areas with more people to watch over them anyways(crossing to lickman) . Areas such as limit hole, prison, cedars, washout, fort apache, slesse trailer park, sections of tamahi , Osborne rd, upper Wilson area, crossing , peach lickman both sides, bergman. community area, and sections of the canal already provide excellent access to people with specific disabilities . This sounds more like a whining of a few people who don't want to walk a little. Best news for the Chilliwack/vedder river system i'v heard in a while!
Exactly. This river has more access than any other river in the entire lower mainland. Do what needs to be done.
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this area is polluted with ignorant pigs from June through October . This is great news imo. There is already dozens of access points directly beside the river from the canal all the way to limithole. People with severe disabilities should be fishing areas with more people to watch over them anyways(crossing to lickman) . Areas such as limit hole, prison, cedars, washout, fort apache, slesse trailer park, sections of tamahi , Osborne rd, upper Wilson area, crossing , peach lickman both sides, bergman. community area, and sections of the canal already provide excellent access to people with specific disabilities . This sounds more like a whining of a few people who don't want to walk a little. Best news for the Chilliwack/vedder river system i'v heard in a while!
Glad you know where people should fish and what is best for them. I feel so much safer. I first fished the C/V 20 years ago, but that is only a drop in the bucket for some people I know. Unfortunately the fact that have been fishing that river for so long also means that they are now in their 70s,80s, and even 90s. Access is a big issue for them. Yes they can go some of those areas you mentioned, and they do. But they should not have to.
I guess it is times for the next generation of anglers to take over. If they deem it best to close the area so be it.
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Areas such as limit hole, prison, cedars, washout, fort apache, slesse trailer park, sections of tamahi , Osborne rd, upper Wilson area
These areas are pretty tough for people with disabilities. Most are long walks in or they'd have to scale rocks to land fish if nobody is around.
While it's great they are doing something to prevent people from littering, the people doing this will simply just go to another part of the river and litter there. We've noticed a lot more trash in the upper this year.
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Many so called accessible spots require a bit of leg works to climb down and up rocky river dyke. For example, if you park at the entrance and wish to fish the closest spot, the Bergman Run right across, you need to descend and later climb a sharp slopy dyke. For us younger guys, no sweat. We can handle a lot harder spots. But for seniors who have ankle, knee or back problems, that sort of climb will risk further injury to their fragile bodies. One fall and a few broken bones will mean serious health challenge. Not to say those who are on wheelchair. A friend of mine has a young daughter on wheelchair, and he was delighted to take her fishing at the run above the Train Bridge. But this will be gone and poor girl. What has she done to get this taken away from her? There will be more senior fishermen aging into a state where any climbing will be demanding. Should they just stay home while those of us enjoy? The city should be more understanding of people's needs, particularly aging seniors. Chilliwack is a retirement town. It should put senior fishermen a priority. Perhaps make the Train Bridge Run a designated spot for the handicapped and the seniors with special parking permits issued by the city, and make all others walk to get there. It is good for us younger guys anyway to walk for our fish.
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I've seen tons of garbage just thrown all over the place along that section of road... it's sad to see that some people are unwilling to drive to a dump and toss out their stuff properly but instead just chuck it out for someone else to deal with.
I agree that shutting it down will just make most of the illegal dumpers and littering go else where. Sounds like what they need is more enforcement to crack down on this problem cause as stated, "I've seen more trash in the upper parts of the river this year." and I've noticed that too which is rather disturbing, picked up enough line to respool 8 pins, a collection of freezer zip lock bags and enough cups to fill stack reaching my knee. I'm not going to point fingers at anyone but I feel that if this gets worse then even more things like shutting down access sections of the river due to garbage could happen more.
Now for a quick question, what are the rules reguarding camping along that section of river? I thought that camping was illegal cause most of those areas and that area in particular was a day use only spot. Reason I ask is cause I've seen a LOT of vehicles camping during the pink run in September.
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Many so called accessible spots require a bit of leg works to climb down and up rocky river dyke. For example, if you park at the entrance and wish to fish the closest spot, the Bergman Run right across, you need to descend and later climb a sharp slopy dyke. For us younger guys, no sweat. We can handle a lot harder spots. But for seniors who have ankle, knee or back problems, that sort of climb will risk further injury to their fragile bodies. One fall and a few broken bones will mean serious health challenge. Not to say those who are on wheelchair. A friend of mine has a young daughter on wheelchair, and he was delighted to take her fishing at the run above the Train Bridge. But this will be gone and poor girl. What has she done to get this taken away from her? There will be more senior fishermen aging into a state where any climbing will be demanding. Should they just stay home while those of us enjoy? The city should be more understanding of people's needs, particularly aging seniors. Chilliwack is a retirement town. It should put senior fishermen a priority. Perhaps make the Train Bridge Run a designated spot for the handicapped and the seniors with special parking permits issued by the city, and make all others walk to get there. It is good for us younger guys anyway to walk for our fish.
These are the points we brought up at the meeting. A few years ago I took some pictures of a angler fishing from a wheelchair in this same area you mention.
Thanks to all for posting their points of view on this thread.
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Now for a quick question, what are the rules reguarding camping along that section of river? I thought that camping was illegal cause most of those areas and that area in particular was a day use only spot. Reason I ask is cause I've seen a LOT of vehicles camping during the pink run in September.
At one time there was signs in this area that said there was to be no camping per a bylaw but I have not noticed them for a while now so not sure what the status on that is. I should have brought it up at the meeting.
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Close it. Too many lazy jackasses parking in the river bed (including disabled folks).
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These are the points we brought up at the meeting. A few years ago I took some pictures of a angler fishing from a wheelchair in this same area you mention.
Thanks to all for posting their points of view on this thread.
Thanks for your efforts to keep this access point open for all. Did you get any feedback during or after the meeting?
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They are fixing a bigger problem than river access issues. People can argue and disagree all they want. There is plenty of fishing opportunities between stocked urban lakes, pikeminnow from cultas and barrow town, Ice fishing on interior lakes to bar fishing and beach fishing the fraser with spoons. Bottom line no vehicle should be on the river bed. Close it!
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I'm all for spawning habitat and being environmentally friendly, but what about the thousands of other vehicles that drive along the chilliwack roadways and all the way up to chilliwack lake where runoff from the road eventually makes its way into the system.
Am I missing something here?
If it's about the garbage they will just move to a new spot.
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Well this fall I did notice a local "regular" who seemed to know everyone down at the train bridge park of the gravel bar, drink beer and throw all of his empties out the window...in addition to sweeping out his truck on more than one occasion. When confronted, we were threatened, so we laughed at him and told him to step out if he wanted to talk further.....but he drove off. You've probably noticed his classy red pick up if you fished the area this fall.
I've seen this guy (and his buddy) many times down there, and everyone else watched his behavior as well but did nothing. When we called him out on littering, most others on the river at that time either laughed or asked us to back off. So this kind of behavior was not only ignored by many, but also supported. Its unfortunate.....
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Like others posted, littering is not a train bridge issue alone. It is all over the C/V system and for that matter other systems or popular fishing locations. Do we need to shut down all roads to rivers? How about the dirt road behind Tamahi? How about the east dyke road downstream of KW Bridge? The Train Bridge location seems to be the only spot on C/V system with access to the river for those on wheelchair or senior seniors who can't walk far, not to say climb. These folks are entitled to fish just like us and they have made that spot their haven. The city should leave them alone. If anything, why not do it like all shopping malls, to reserve parking spots closest to the venue just for these special needs people and make others parked further out.
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I believe most of the garbage is from local sources I'm guessing that Chilliwack contracts residential pick up. The dumping culprits are not fishermen or recreational users of C/V. Closing access will just mean that the garbage from the dumpers that are too cheap and lazy to take it to the appropriate disposal sites will just find another secluded spot to dump garbage.
This move will cost the city the same or more $$ to remove dumped garbage elsewhere. lastly the city will have to spend $$ to upgrade / improve access for those that are physically challenged and seniors who are now shut out from the few spots on the river that they can safely use.
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Bottom line no vehicle should be on the river bed. Close it!
When this was brought up I asked what about all the dump trucks, scrapers and front end loaders running all over the reparian zone and exposed gravel bars every 2 years in August for the gravel extraction projects. Donot think I got an answer. I know 2 wrongs donot make it OK but I think that does more damage than those that drive out on the bars.
As far as the garbage dumpingl issue this closure does nothing to solve that as they just dump somewhere else, we all know that for those that are out to Old Orchard, Gill, Peg Leg, Ballam Road, Chilliwack River Valley and for that matter anywhere. including any fast food parking lot. :-[ :(
I might also add, the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society had taken 100 metric tonnes off the Chilliwack Vedder River watershed since 2002.
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I believe most of the garbage is from local sources I'm guessing that Chilliwack contracts residential pick up. The dumping culprits are not fishermen or recreational users of C/V. Closing access will just mean that the garbage from the dumpers that are too cheap and lazy to take it to the appropriate disposal sites will just find another secluded spot to dump garbage.
This move will cost the city the same or more $$ to remove dumped garbage elsewhere. lastly the city will have to spend $$ to upgrade / improve access for those that are physically challenged and seniors who are now shut out from the few spots on the river that they can safely use.
They told us they spend 25 to 30 thousand a year to pick up illegally dumped garbage, I imagone that was throughtout the district.
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gravel removal is about flood control - if you'd like the Vedder to shift back through south Chilliwack and wipe out 1/2 the city ok with me.
For me trucks parked on the bars is just unsightly - plus they screw up my back cast.
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Thanks for your efforts to keep this access point open for all. Did you get any feedback during or after the meeting?
I think the City had their mind made up even before we met, they had a power point to show us all the details.
5 people had sent in letters before we met wanting it left open but there was complaints from those that wanted it closed that brought this issue to the front.
I think the main thing was they wanted the Rotary Trail extended in this area and not for the walkers to have to go through the present trail as they have for several years in this area, due to safety concerns which of course is a issue these days. I mentioned some of the trail in other sections are all in the bush as well. For an example from the train bridge down through the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve to the Salwein Gravel Pit. Not sure how that will be dealt with.
Some good news, I asked them if any other closures are in the works, for example from the Keith Wilson Bridge to the Salwein Gravel Pit on the Dyke Road, they said, no. The gravel pit is a main dumping ground and party site but the CVRCS and others try to keep this clean so this cannot be used as a reason to close it but we had done the same in the area to be closed to the train bridge come Jan. 1 2016.
So I guess it was time well spent at the meeting to know we are watching out for the anglers that have difficulty walking to some of their favotrire areas to wet a line.
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gravel removal is about flood control - if you'd like the Vedder to shift back through south Chilliwack and wipe out 1/2 the city ok with me.
For me trucks parked on the bars is just unsightly - plus they screw up my back cast.
The gravel extraction is another issue but will not mix that discussion here.
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I agree that closing the access means the people who dump their garbage there will simply find other areas. You can block access to the entire river but locals will still find a way.
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So I guess it was time well spent at the meeting to know we are watching out for the anglers that have difficulty walking to some of their favotrire areas to wet a line.
Well done Chris !!, even though I don't fish the system anymore since we moved, it's nice to know that you and the members on this board have us with mobility issues on the back of your minds, you all are indeed the next generation of anglers that will make the difference
Thanks all
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I am positive there was a time long ago when Inmates at the local correctional institutions would perform clean-up along areas of the river and HWY #1 for that matter.
Was it the bleeding hearts or the Unions of the districts involved that put a stop to this? On the belief that it was taking jobs away from the Union force! " that where never there in the first place"!
Anyways I feel sorry for the people that this will effect. Pigs will always be pigs! This is not the answer!
It really bothers me how people could damage an area with junk. Plus people sitting on there a$$ in a prison eating 3 square meals a day living off of tax payer money! Bring back the work gangs!
Just my 2 cents, like it or not!
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I am positive there was a time long ago when Inmates at the local correctional institutions would perform clean-up along areas of the river and HWY #1 for that matter.
Was it the bleeding hearts or the Unions of the districts involved that put a stop to this? On the belief that it was taking jobs away from the Union force! " that where never there in the first place"!
Anyways I feel sorry for the people that this will effect. Pigs will always be pigs! This is not the answer!
It really bothers me how people could damage an area with junk. Plus people sitting on there my friend in a prison eating 3 square meals a day living off of tax payer money! Bring back the work gangs!
Just my 2 cents, like it or not!
Wow talk about off topic...:)
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At one time there was signs in this area that said there was to be no camping per a bylaw but I have not noticed them for a while now so not sure what the status on that is. I should have brought it up at the meeting.
Thank you for your work Chris, I am wondering the same thing as I remember seeing signs all over about day use/ no camping in the area signs around vehicle accessed areas. Now I haven't seen any except for the portion of the main road past the Sumas bridge heading up river.
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I am positive there was a time long ago when Inmates at the local correctional institutions would perform clean-up along areas of the river and HWY #1 for that matter.
Mount Thurston Correctional Centre that did this work was closed in 2003. Corrections Canada Inmates still do some work along highway 1. One of the issues with this kind of work is that Inmates who can be out of the jail to perform it are no longer held in prison for more than a few days so there simply aren't that available.
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Mr Gadsden it sounds to me like you are advocating for people who park their cars on river bars to fish. The access issue for people with disabilities is a bit of a red herring. people so disabled need better access options than driving straight onto or even into the river. Many people who drive right to the river would benefit some some regular exercise and so avoid being moderately disabled (often by obesity) later in life, this pretty much indicated by many clinical studies and is standard medical advice.
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Mr Gadsden it sounds to me like you are advocating for people who park their cars on river bars to fish. The access issue for people with disabilities is a bit of a red herring. people so disabled need better access options than driving straight onto or even into the river. Many people who drive right to the river would benefit some some regular exercise and so avoid being moderately disabled (often by obesity) later in life, this pretty much indicated by many clinical studies and is standard medical advice.
What he say??????????? ???
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I don't think Chris mean that people are ok to park on river bars all over the place. But there is only one spot on C/V system with access for the physically challenged people, or specifically those on wheelchair or those can't climb up and down, and why not let them have that spot. The cars are mostly parked at the end of the road with a gentle walk on gravel down to the bar. I think only those on wheelchair or older seniors should be allowed to parked on the bar with special permit from the city.
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I don't think Chris mean that people are ok to park on river bars all over the place. But there is only one spot on C/V system with access for the physically challenged people, or specifically those on wheelchair or those can't climb up and down, and why not let them have that spot. The cars are mostly parked at the end of the road with a gentle walk on gravel down to the bar. I think only those on wheelchair or older seniors should be allowed to parked on the bar with special permit from the city.
Of course I don't think this is what should have happened there. At one time the City put up boulders there to prevent this happening but for some reason they took them out not sure if it was to let the machinery get down to the bar to take out the gravel. I did bring that to their attention at the meeting but did not get a response.
I just found the picture I took years ago of a chap fishing in this area from his wheelchair off the bar, wish I had it for the meeting, I may scan and send it to the City not that will change things.
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You fought a good fight Chris, put this one behind you and carry on. Don't stop advocating for anglers and their fishing opportunities ;)
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You fought a good fight Chris, put this one behind you and carry on. Don't stop advocating for anglers and their fishing opportunities ;)
Thanks, just answering some questions in this thread.
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I haven't been there in a year and a half and it was by bicycle. The old road in has been in terrible shape and has to be taken very slowly for most vehicles. The trail goes very close to the are above the train bridge, just behind the road and if not suitable for wheelchair access could be made so without much trouble and by foot is less than 10 minutes from the Sinclair - Hopedale road access I guess. A guide or companion could help a person in a wheel chair there without much problem I would think. FWIW I have never seen a person in a wheel chair in the area. I have however seen pickups driven right into the river and in one case one was burned there. My guess the loss of access has minimal effect. The cost of the road access clearly out weighed what ever benefit there was to the disabled community.
Personally I welcome reduced vehicle access and requirements to walk. I love the acess points that requie a 5 to 10 minute walk. This suits the the location and the activity. It also promotes healthier living which is important with an aging society. With some respect I suggest some of the advocates on this board and with local advocacy groups think in established boxes, very old boxes and are sometimes simply concerned with maintaining a status quo.
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It also promotes healthier living which is important with an aging society. With some respect I suggest some of the advocates on this board and with local advocacy groups think in established boxes, very old boxes and are sometimes simply concerned with maintaining a status quo.
I guess a few of us are getting ready for a box of sort, hopefully more than a cardboard one. ;D ;D ;D
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I think the city is looking at a revenue stream here. Close off vehicle access all over the river,create general use parking areas then run shuttle buses to fishing runs. Charge $5 a head for a day pass or adopt A Compass card tap on,tap off system.
Chilliwack can become the equivalent of Vancouver with its far right "green" mentality. :P
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Did you even think about what you said before you typed it out?
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I believe that was tongue in cheek :o
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I think bigsnag is on to something , the city could hire river guides which could double as drivers and drop fishers at the hot spots , fly tying courses enroute , the possibilities are endless
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A bit of a piss off for me I'm 66 yrs old with one bad hip, used to cross on the railway bridge quite often and any extra walking means a little extra pain, wvr price of progress I guess, sounds like it's a done deal.
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A bit of a piss off for me I'm 66 yrs old with one bad hip, used to cross on the railway bridge quite often and any extra walking means a little extra pain, wvr price of progress I guess, sounds like it's a done deal.
This is what we tried to explain to them but it seemed to be a done deal before we had the meeting, sorry we were not able to be more successful, at least we tried our best as did 5 people who had written letters to them before we met, thanks to those that took the time to write in, Lew, Nick, Don and 2 others.
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Looks like the parking on Yarrow side will be crowded. LOL. I am surprised that fishing groups were not consulted on the closure of access. Not too democratic there. Perhaps organize a movement to vote out those stubborn city heads in next city election. I would do that if I were a old retiree fisherman there. Sooner of later the body will force you to fish the train bridge run, lol, but it won't be accessible by vehicle any more. Too bad.
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FYI. Received this yesterday.
Thank you for attending the meeting on Friday, November 13, regarding the City’s decision to close the gate at Hooge Stockpile on the Vedder River. I believe we had a fulsome discussion about the benefits and disadvantages to this decision.
The outcome of the meeting and City initiatives are listed below for your information:
1. Create a proper, gated and managed gravel parking area at the Hooge Stockpile location - completion prior to Christmas 2015.
2. Install a trail access gate that will allow the passage of wheelchairs onto the trail.
3. Construct two disabled parking stalls immediately adjacent to the new gate and sign as disabled parking only.
4. In 2016, complete the trail surface construction in such a way as to allow it to be used by wheelchairs.
5. Clear brush from the top of the river bank rock armouring in several locations in close proximity to the parking area and create fishing/standing spots that can be easily accessed by persons with mobility issues.
6. City staff to keep in touch with Society members (Jackie Atkinson) to invite input and advice on river or trail access for persons with mobility challenges.
7. Provide garbage receptacles and toilet facilities along this section of trail.
8. Look into Creating additional parking and river access opportunities on the south side of the river at Bergman Road and Giesbrecht Road (2016) to enhance fishing opportunities along the river.
Thanks again for coming out to the meeting. I appreciate your passion for fishing.
Warm regards,
Sharon Gaetz | Mayor |
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Wow. The city is going to a lot of effort and expense to maintain the accessibility of the location (and create accessible fishing opportunities at other locations), while trying to mitigate the flow of garbage. It seems to be a very balanced solution.
Kudos to the city of Chilliwack and to the stakeholders (Chris et al) who made their voices heard.
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Good move by the city for the wheelchair folks. Does this help the old and infirm but not wheelchair bound?
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So will this be the new hot spot for vehicle break ins then?
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Good move by the city for the wheelchair folks. Does this help the old and infirm but not wheelchair bound?
Sure the resurfacing of the trail will make it easier to walk, and the clearing of brush close to the parking lot will give everyone easier access. My question is, should they place signage along the rocks where they clear the brush (ie:yield spot to physically challenged anglers). ???
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Wow. The city is going to a lot of effort and expense to maintain the accessibility of the location (and create accessible fishing opportunities at other locations), while trying to mitigate the flow of garbage. It seems to be a very balanced solution.
Kudos to the city of Chilliwack and to the stakeholders (Chris et al) who made their voices heard.
I agree Clarki, the City has taken the time to listen to inputs from the Fraser Valley Salmon Society and they are trying their best to accommodate the concerns anglers have. In the past year, Tourism Chilliwack (like most other regions in BC) has shifted its focus from farm tours to outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and fishing, therefore it makes sense to create better (not necessarily easier as we can see in this case, but more organized) accesses for anglers. Proper parking spaces, washrooms should definitely be welcome by the angling community. By tidying up the access spots, perhaps that will reduce irresponsible usage. It'll be important to keep this dialogue going with the City as development progresses.
One unfortunate outcome of this will be the loss of access to those easier spots by the train bridge for the older anglers. Sure the trails will be smoother to walk on and some walking is definitely healthy for the body, but many older anglers I know can barely walk 100ft so walking from the parking lot to those spots will be out of the question.
There are also a few other concerns. Burbot has already pointed out one of them. One of the perks with parking your car along that trail is being able to keep an eye on your vehicle while you fish. Hopefully with a properly assigned parking lot will also bring proper monitoring by some type of patrol, so we don't end up with regular break-ins like we have seen at Lickman and Peach in the past.
The other thing which will most likely happen is that, knowing how fishermen think, they'll end up parking on the Yarrow residential side and walk across the railway bridge instead of utilizing the new parking lot on the Chilliwack side.
My third concern is how will the city make sure the designated parking slots for disabled users (users, not just anglers, because walkers, bikers etc will also be utilizing this parking space) are not abused. Will there be sufficient parking spaces to accommodate anglers in September and October as well as other non-fishing users who arrive later in the morning?
Anyway, it is always good to see progress. Personally I am excited to see some of my regular spots becoming foot-access spots instead of vehicle access spots for obvious reasons.
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Overall this is a good thing.
There was a time when there was NO rotary trail.
(You had to bushwhack)
The river ran along the road In certain sections etc;...
Folks get used to stuff and get POed when life changes.
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I was down on the river above the train bridge fishing today and talking with a couple of fishermen about the road closure coming up. We understand the need to curb garbage dumping and vandalism along this stretch of the river. There is also an environmental issue with vehicles driving onto the bar. Here are some thoughts that I know have already been expressed to some degree but I will restate for emphasis sake:
1. There is a gate at the entrance to the road that could be closed at night and opened in the morning just like the gates at Peach and Lickman road entrances to parking lots. Why can't the same people that open and close those gates also tend to the gate at this site.
2. The city has totally abandoned maintenance of this access road and the bushes/trees along the way. If it was kept up so that there weren't any potholes and the sides of the road were kept trimmed and landscaped it would elevate the appearance and create a higher value to the area. When the area is depreciated by the city then people will think it is then okay to take advantage with garbage and late night partying leaving beer bottles/cans/debris/fires etc. Create a park like atmosphere and challenge locals and visitors to think "green".
3. Vehicles driving onto the bar! Are they an environmental problem to the river habitat? It isn't a spawning area. Vehicles don't leak oil like they used to so minimal pollution. It is the only spot on the river where handicapped people can have easy access to the rivers edge. Best place for families with kids to fish, tube, swim and picnic in the summer time. I take my grand children there to enjoy the river. I will now have to walk a couple of kilometres with picnic baskets, chairs, fishing rods etc., as will 100's of other families with little ones.
4. I am suspicious as to the agenda of the city to enforce this without any input from the community that values the access. There are numerous groups that are cleaning up the river areas like this of garbage a couple of times a year. The Fraser River has terrible dump sites near Gill Road where anything and everything is left there. The area around the Keith Wilson Bridge has garbage dumped there on a regular basis as well as the Gravel Pit up further on the Canal.
5. The Vedder/Chilliwack River is an "urban river", no longer the rural river of yesteryear. It is going to have to have management and policing for sure. The beauty of this river is that it has so much access along its length; not all is easy for recreational family groups that is. The crowds and masses of people fishing on it during salmon season is creating some challenges for sure, but manageable if viewed properly. A lot of wear and tear on the system and surrounding areas. But, it also brings significant revenue to the community. The city benefits financially from the increased usage of the system. Tim Hortons sales are up significantly during salmon season...just look at all the Tim Horton's cup and wrappers left behind on the river and in the parking lots. Starbuck's too has a huge gain, and with the soon to be drive through Starbucks at Vedder and Keith Wilson roads even more economic benefits. The crowds going to Cultus Lake are on the increase too creating an economic surplus.
Sadly, abuse, entitlement and neglect of our rivers and surrounding areas are increasing. I am not convinced that this is the best decision to solving a problem in the particular area. I would like to see some strong input directed to the City Council and those that have made this decision. Just like the decision on the dykes on the Fraser River that would affect the stakeholders along that area; their resistance and protests got some attention to rethink the process.
I live in Sardis and the river is a large part of my life as it is to hundreds if not thousands not only here in the Chilliwack Community but also surrounding communities that love this river.
Enough of my Soap Box rant. Just frustrated and looking for some momentum from those of like spirit and mind.
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It amazes me what one can read on a 'fishing' website at times.Perhaps the city should run the river through a massive culvert, cover it up,pave it over and turn it into a parking lot. It makes me want to cry what people think they should be able to do on the banks of a river or any water body. :'(
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It was abused.
Now it's lost.
Get over it.
Go volunteer some where and stop the bullsh@t that happens on the river bank. Or more access will go this way and for good reason.
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I was down on the river above the train bridge fishing today and talking with a couple of fishermen about the road closure coming up. We understand the need to curb garbage dumping and vandalism along this stretch of the river. There is also an environmental issue with vehicles driving onto the bar. Here are some thoughts that I know have already been expressed to some degree but I will restate for emphasis sake:
1. There is a gate at the entrance to the road that could be closed at night and opened in the morning just like the gates at Peach and Lickman road entrances to parking lots. Why can't the same people that open and close those gates also tend to the gate at this site.
2. The city has totally abandoned maintenance of this access road and the bushes/trees along the way. If it was kept up so that there weren't any potholes and the sides of the road were kept trimmed and landscaped it would elevate the appearance and create a higher value to the area. When the area is depreciated by the city then people will think it is then okay to take advantage with garbage and late night partying leaving beer bottles/cans/debris/fires etc. Create a park like atmosphere and challenge locals and visitors to think "green".
3. Vehicles driving onto the bar! Are they an environmental problem to the river habitat? It isn't a spawning area. Vehicles don't leak oil like they used to so minimal pollution. It is the only spot on the river where handicapped people can have easy access to the rivers edge. Best place for families with kids to fish, tube, swim and picnic in the summer time. I take my grand children there to enjoy the river. I will now have to walk a couple of kilometres with picnic baskets, chairs, fishing rods etc., as will 100's of other families with little ones.
4. I am suspicious as to the agenda of the city to enforce this without any input from the community that values the access. There are numerous groups that are cleaning up the river areas like this of garbage a couple of times a year. The Fraser River has terrible dump sites near Gill Road where anything and everything is left there. The area around the Keith Wilson Bridge has garbage dumped there on a regular basis as well as the Gravel Pit up further on the Canal.
5. The Vedder/Chilliwack River is an "urban river", no longer the rural river of yesteryear. It is going to have to have management and policing for sure. The beauty of this river is that it has so much access along its length; not all is easy for recreational family groups that is. The crowds and masses of people fishing on it during salmon season is creating some challenges for sure, but manageable if viewed properly. A lot of wear and tear on the system and surrounding areas. But, it also brings significant revenue to the community. The city benefits financially from the increased usage of the system. Tim Hortons sales are up significantly during salmon season...just look at all the Tim Horton's cup and wrappers left behind on the river and in the parking lots. Starbuck's too has a huge gain, and with the soon to be drive through Starbucks at Vedder and Keith Wilson roads even more economic benefits. The crowds going to Cultus Lake are on the increase too creating an economic surplus.
Sadly, abuse, entitlement and neglect of our rivers and surrounding areas are increasing. I am not convinced that this is the best decision to solving a problem in the particular area. I would like to see some strong input directed to the City Council and those that have made this decision. Just like the decision on the dykes on the Fraser River that would affect the stakeholders along that area; their resistance and protests got some attention to rethink the process.
I live in Sardis and the river is a large part of my life as it is to hundreds if not thousands not only here in the Chilliwack Community but also surrounding communities that love this river.
Enough of my Soap Box rant. Just frustrated and looking for some momentum from those of like spirit and mind.
Thanks for taking the time to write this, we brought up most of this at the meeting, we did our best but I think the closure was a done deal before we meet. Also as I may have mentioned before, 5 residents had written in before we met with the Mayor and staff with their reason to keep it open, at least during daylight hours.
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As I remember back to the 60s and 70s , you could drive on both sides of the vedder except for a few sections. I think it's hard for older fishermen and people with disabilities to hike long distances to be able to fish.
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Parking area is construction. Was told the gate will be locked, by the tracks same hours as Peach, Lickman etc..
Comes in effect Jan. 1, 2016
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As I remember back to the 60s and 70s , you could drive on both sides of the vedder except for a few sections. I think it's hard for older fishermen and people with disabilities to hike long distances to be able to fish.
the blocking of dykes and other vehicles paths has been going on all over the FV and BC in general. I can think of several access points on other rivers, some on private land that have been gated trenched or bermed. It'd happened all the way up the Chilliwack Valley - used to be you could drive almost all the way to the Ranger run.
Basically it's happening for 2 reasons litter and landscape damage. Litter in remote places can be terribly egregious. I saw a dead cow dumped at the Queen's Island access just shortly before the dyke was gated. Another spot I like to fish had the dyke paths gated because people with 4x4s turned the roads in mud swamps and drove through fields and planted trees. You can still walk in there. Around 20 years ago when I worked for the Province I managed a remote work site. The land was private and posted, the roads were gated but before it wad closed we had regular issues with 4x4 people who'd use winches to bust the gates and and access to the road and the land. Break ins followed.
I do feel for people with mobility issues and I have had and still do have related problems but fact is I almost never see people with such issues fishing and most people who drive their vehicle straight to the river to fish are simply too lazy to get out and walk for 100 meters.
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I do feel for people with mobility issues ..... but fact is I almost never see people with such issues fishing and most people who drive their vehicle straight to the river to fish are simply too lazy to get out and walk for 100 meters.
that is so true...
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http://www.theprogress.com/news/376440941.html
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I was there about a week ago. It's a 5 to 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the bridge. Much shorter by bicycle. The trail has been groomed to perfection and it's wheel chair and wagon friendly. People who want to picnic can carry the essentials no problem. What's the big deal? Some people they have to carry half the household goods into the outdoors to have a good time.