WHALLEY - Residents of a Surrey trailer park that has long been plagued with drainage issues are fearing for their safety, following the recent rainfall that caused a flood earlier this month.
In a letter sent to the Now, several residents of Park Mobile Court on King George Boulevard near 96th Avenue expressed concerns over several floodprone creeks that run through the park. Homeowners recently had water accumulate on the park's roads, reaching several feet deep in some areas.
Residents said the culverts can get clogged by litter and debris, causing water to rise above the banks and into the roads.
"My concern with the park is that the trees' root system is being compromised with the high levels of water," wrote one resident who wished to remain anonymous. "The trees become weak and unstable."
In addition to the damage to trees, residents said the heavy current caused by the water pressure that builds up when the creeks clog can be dangerous for young children if they fall into the stream.
"I have a small child - it would be a crime if she was to walk through the park at the King George entrance and be swept away because of the overflow of water," the aforementioned letter writer added.
The renewed concerns come just weeks after a six-year-old boy drowned in a North Vancouver creek.
Another homeowner gave a timeline of issues stemming from lack of maintenance on the property over the past 15 years, highlighting that a tree collapsed onto a trailer in 2007 and that erosion caused by flooding has compromised the foundation of at least five trailers.
The son of one resident whose mother's home was surrounded by water propped open a panel of the trailer to allow water to run under the property and reconnect with the drain on the other side.
Furthermore, the letter stated that the flooding can block one of the two routes in and out of the park, adding that both entrances and exits need to be accessible in case of emergency.
The park is owned by Skore Holdings, a company owned by Gurmukh Gill, who serves as the landlord. Residents claim Gill has ceased work to widen the culverts to prevent overflow and flooding.
Last year, Carrie Baron, drainage and environment manager in Surrey's engineering department, told the Now that the city has had problems dealing with Gill since he bought the park in 1995.
"The park owner is reluctant on putting the money out that he needs to put out to maintain the proper standards," she said.
"We've approached the landlord before about getting us right-of-ways, having trailers in proper spots. He's not interested in it. He knows it's his responsibility."
At this point, a number of residents are considering filing a class-action lawsuit against Skore Holdings, care of Gill, in an effort to spur the much-needed repairs.
Gill could not be reached for comment.
jzinn@thenownewspaper.com