New Port Moody councillor elected on promise to protect park

Bert Flinn Park eyed as possible location for new road

By Colten Kamlade, Staff Reporter

Bert Flinn Park, located within Port Moody near Anmore and Belcarra, was created “as a result of a referendum in 1999,” according to the City of Port Moody’s website. Now, almost twenty years later, the park may be disturbed by the work of developers who wish to build a road through the heart of the park.

The Save Bert Flinn Park website says that the City wants to build the road “as a means of accommodating denser residential development on what were once industrial lands of the Imperial Oil Company at the western end of Ioco Road.” It goes on to claim that the road “would fundamentally and forever compromise the Park’s tranquility, ecosystem, and enjoyment for other uses.”

Those who oppose the building of the road have found a champion for their cause. Hunter Madsen just won the Port Moody byelection, campaigning on the promise to preserve Bert Flinn Park. The Port Moody website announced Madsen’s victory on October 2. Karen Rockwell, Madsen’s nearest competitor, received only 530 votes, while Madsen received 1277. According to an article in Tri-City News, Madsen is a former digital media executive.

Several people at Bert Flinn Park shared their opinion of the park with the Other Press.

“[It’s] a beautiful park and a great place to take kids,” said Tina Campbell.

“It’s a really nice place, it would be a shame to see it go,” said Justin Walls. “I’m an outdoorsy person, so, yeah, I think it’s really important to protect places like this.”

According to the Save Bert Flinn Park website, the plans to build the new road are still in the works.. With all the support that the opposition to the road has garnered, however, it is clear that developers have a fight ahead of them. The Save Bert Flinn Park Facebook page has 435 followers, and last year the Save Bert Flinn Park organizers held the biggest rally that Port Moody has ever seen.

There is no telling what effect Madsen’s position on city council will have on the preservation of Bert Flinn Park, but it will likely be an encouragement to those who are struggling against developers to protect its natural beauty. Madsen posted on Facebook on October 3—through the Save Bert Flinn Park page—that “you can count on me to keep speaking up for the green and wild spaces that we hold dear. Again, thank you folks—you’re the best.”