Editor,
An open letter to Mayor Brenda Locke and Surrey city council:
Regarding the proposed crematorium at 9280&9350 168 Street:
I have lived in Surrey for 46 years, 22 of which have been spent near Tynehead Park. This park is a cherished weekly destination for me, my friends, and my family.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tynehead Park provided a much-needed daily escape from being indoors and isolated. It is also a venue for marathons and various group events, both large and small.
Every fall and winter, we take time to observe the salmon returning to the Serpentine River to spawn. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including owls, blue herons, bald eagles, raccoons, and coyotes. I have even encountered bear scat.
Exploring the park’s fungi has been a fascinating experience, and spotting spring flowers such as trilliums and alpine lilies is always a delight. I often think of Tynehead as Surrey’s own "Stanley Park"—a true gem enjoyed by many.
As I drive along 168 Street in January, the sight of eagles in the trees at Bothwell Park signals the salmon’s return to the Serpentine headwaters. In the summer, I have had the pleasure of hearing the SFU Pipe Band practicing in Bothwell Park.
This park is also a hub for community gatherings, with baseball games, birthday celebrations, and drivers stopping for a brief respite from the day’s demands. Tynehead Hall serves as a vital community space, hosting monthly spaghetti dinners organized by the Lions Club, dog obedience classes, church services, craft fairs, and other gatherings.
Perhaps some believe that Tynehead is a lesser-used area and that few would object to the placement of a crematorium here. However, 168 Street is already an overburdened former farm road and a major traffic artery connecting multiple neighbourhoods to Tynehead Park, Bothwell Park, and beyond.
When walking in Tynehead Park or enjoying Bothwell Park, I do not want to worry about inhaling pollutants, including carcinogenic compounds and even radioactive particles from the cremation process. The emissions from the crematorium would have a harmful effect on raptors and other wildlife.
Additionally, pollutants could degrade the Serpentine River’s water quality, impacting the fish that rely on it.
The increase in traffic, with cars idling as they wait to turn into a funeral home parking lot, will only add to the air pollution in this sensitive ecosystem. 168 Street is already a narrow road bordered by ditches and is not designed for the demands of today’s traffic. Managing additional vehicles safely would be a significant challenge. Bothwell Park is likely to become overflow parking for the crematorium, forcing pedestrians to navigate dangerous traffic conditions to cross the street.
Business interests outside of Surrey may not fully understand the ecological significance of the Serpentine River headlands, one of Surrey’s most critical fish and wildlife habitats. The proposed site is surrounded on three sides by the Serpentine River and its tributaries, which should, in itself, be sufficient reason to deny the construction of a 7,400-square-foot facility.
Moreover, the site can only be serviced by a septic system, despite being located on a floodplain that frequently becomes saturated with rainwater. A more suitable location would be an industrial park with proper sewage infrastructure.
This land is zoned for agricultural use, and it should remain that way. Now more than ever, we need to preserve as much agricultural land as possible, especially given the growing concerns about economic and food security. As a longtime Surrey resident, I strongly oppose the construction of a crematorium at this location. It has no place in such an environmentally and agriculturally sensitive area.
Sincerely,
Lea Klein, Surrey
