The future of one of the most recognizable profiles of the Cloverdale skyline – the Bose heritage forest – is the subject of an upcoming public meeting that will guide its planning and development as parkland.
Cloverdale residents are invited to get involved in the planning and design of a park that’s being created on the site. Dubbed ‘Bose Farm Park’ after the historic farm property, the site represents a mostly-forested area of 7.4 hectares (18.3 acres).
A preliminary open house is planned for next Thursday, May 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at A.J. McLellan Elementary school, 16545 61 Street.
The will be information boards but no specific plans will be shown at the meeting. The focus will be on the property’s heritage and the elicit ideas on what the park plan might look like. Residents can also complete an online survey on what features they would like to see included.
The City of Surrey wants to maintain the site as a forested park, with pathways, viewpoints, seating areas and space for natural play.
“The forested area is really a landmark in Cloverdale. As you’re driving along 60th eastbound, it really is a beautiful thing to see,” said Ted Uhrich, manager of parks planning, research and design.
Residents with information on the background of the neighbourhood are encouraged to share their knowledge with city staff, he added.
While the city has done its own research into the heritage property’s background and history, there’s always more to learn.
“We want to hear from them, what they know of the property, because often when we do go to these open houses, we get to know some of the background that were weren’t aware of,” Uhrich said.
The original farm was founded by Henry Bose in the late 19th Century. Between 1912 to 1920, much of the land was cleared for farmland.
The property’s forested area was originally identified as future parkland in the West Cloverdale North Neighbourhood Concept Plan, guiding future development.
In a controversial move, about 200 trees from the Bose forest were felled last summer to make way for two new residential developments.
Heritage buildings – a barn, dairy shed and family farmhouse – are being restored as a condition of development, and part of the lands from both proposals have been dedicated as parkland.
That, along with some additional land the city acquired as parkland a few years ago, will form Bose Farm Park.
“I think it’s going to be a great asset for the neighbourhood, and Cloverdale in general,” Uhrich said.
An environmental consultant has conducted an initial survey but will return to collect more information this spring to get a fuller picture of the land’s environmental values in terms of flora and fauna.
“We expect to have a preliminary report in time for the first open house,” Uhrich said.
There will be a second open house later in the year, leading up to a preferred concept plan that will first be presented to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Tourism Committee and city council before the detailed design will be completed.
Meanwhile, updates will be posted on the city’s website.
There’s currently no public access. It’s hoped the park will open in 2015.
For more information, visit www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/14971.aspx or call 604-501-5050 or email
parksrecculture@surrey.ca.
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