Editor,
The City of Surrey's plan to expand Sunnyside Cemetery threatens 30 acres of mature second-growth forest surrounding the historic Semiahmoo Trail. This irreplaceable natural area, integral to Surrey’s heritage and biodiversity, must be preserved.
The Semiahmoo Trail, protected under Surrey's Semiahmoo Trail Heritage Designation By-law, No. 15280, is a living link to our pioneering past. Established as early as 1858 during the Gold Rush, it facilitated travel between Blaine, Wash., and Fort Langley, playing a crucial role in the settlement of Surrey. Today, it remains a green corridor teeming with wildlife and indigenous plant species, providing residents with a place to connect with nature.
Surrey retains only 0.6% of its mature forest cover (source: Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society). Clear-cutting this area for cemetery expansion undermines the city's own Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, which emphasizes "protecting to the extent possible, existing urban forests ... and maximizing the city’s tree canopy". Alternative interment options should be considered, prioritizing lands with less ecological and heritage significance.
This forest isn’t just trees — it’s history and legacy. As a community, we must ask: What environmental and cultural heritage will we leave for future generations? I urge the city to honour the trail’s heritage and conserve this critical natural area.
Dr. Alex N. Mazurek, South Surrey
