Dear Editor,
I have been living in Maple Ridge, since the COVID-19 lockdown began. Unfortunately, I live in the North Albion area, and I have also seen similar challenges affecting the Silver Valley community, which is also part of the broader Maple Ridge.
As someone without a driver’s licence, I have found it extremely difficult to access everyday services. There are no nearby retail stores, big-box stores, restaurants, churches, or even a movie theatre within walking distance. This makes daily life challenging for residents who rely on walking, cycling, or public transit.
I was disappointed to see that the recently updated Albion Area Community Plan still does not include plans for neighbourhood retail, big-box stores, restaurants, churches, movie studios, or nor a movie theatre within walking distance for residents of Albion.
Silver Valley is not part of the Albion area and is part of Maple Ridge. While I appreciate that the City of Maple Ridge is investing in new housing, industrial development, parks, and some commercial projects in other parts of the city, these growing communities continue to be left behind when it comes to essential amenities and services.
A community should be more than just homes. As the population continues to grow, residents should also have convenient access to shopping, dining, entertainment, places of worship, and other everyday services without having to own a vehicle.
Families, seniors, youth, and residents with disabilities should not have to travel across the city or outside of their area simply to access basic services or enjoy recreational activities.
It is disappointing that such rapidly growing communities still do not have even a movie theatre and other entertainment options that residents can walk to and enjoy close to home.
A few months ago, I created this petition, because I believe many other residents share these concerns. The support the petition has received demonstrates that this is not just my experience – it is a community-wide issue. Without a car, Albion and Silver Valley are simply not as accessible as they should be.
I hope the City of Maple Ridge will listen to residents, and update its plans to include the neighbourhood services and amenities that these growing communities deserve, ensuring that future growth includes not only more homes but also the businesses, services, banking, restaurants, fast food, movie studio, entertainment, and gathering places that make a neighbourhood complete.
The petition can be found on https://c.org/2cQN8GRQQC
Tyler Austin, Maple Ridge