Keep Paradise Pools closed
Dear CVRD directors, mayors and councillors:
A recent letter by resident Warren Chapman to The Citizen newspaper requested the CVRD parks function buy and open parts of the former Paradise Pools riverbank for swimming and other recreation.
While I have backed Warren’s ideas on many things, I can’t support him this time.
Living on Banks Road, near the Paradise Pools parking area along Cliffs Road, was a constant summer rodeo of noise, injuries, speeding, and trash left behind by abusers who trespassed to reach the river.
Not all users were inconsiderate slobs, but they seemed to have ruined it for others.
I wrote North Cowichan council in recent years, thanking them for signing the parking section, advising No Public River Access.
To my delight, property owners have now fenced the trails so river access cannot be had.
Before that closure, I had written council advising what Warren is now requesting: buy the trail property and run access to the river as a park function with lifeguards, wardens and trash services etc.
That did not happen, which is fortunate.
Sadly, Paradise abusers have jaded me over the years, so keeping the pools closed is just fine with me.
I’m sure the RCMP and Search & Rescue are also OK with the closure.
Still, I strongly back Warren’s suggestion of the CVRD collecting tax funds to acquire more valley parkland, just not the Paradise Pools.
Peter W. Rusland
Duncan (North Cowichan)