Climbers Access Society Of BC

Parking at Easter

written Thursday, March 19, 2009

for Skaha

by Howie Richardson

About half the length of the road into the new car park is still icy and undrivable but one spell of warm weather should see that clear.

The news form the new owners of Braesyde (the old parking area) is that they are not interested in allowing any further use of that area as a climbers' car park.

There is still no news from Parks if they are getting money in the next budget to get the overflow car-park up and running.

The good news is that parking in the new lot will be free until that lot is designated a Provincial Park and them will be subject to the same fees applicable at any Provincial site. Their fee structure is considerably cheaper than the that for the old Braesyde site.

This presents some difficulties for Easter and Victoria Day and possibly beyond.

We do not want to discourage people from coming to enjoy Skaha on these long weekends but there is the possibility that if few people turn up it might be assumed that our estimates of the level to which Skaha is used will be seen as inflated and the need for the overflow car-park seen as less urgent.

Again, we do think people should come at Easter and Victoria day but with the realisation that there may be considerable inconvenience.

Here is the plan.
1) The new car-park is marked out with spaces for about 100 vehicles, but by directing parking to maximizing use of the area perhaps another 30 can be squeezed in.
Local climbers will be on hand to direct parking over the Easter weekend to see that as few people as possible are turned away at the gate. This way we can demonstrate demand but inconvenience few.

2) Late arrivals who cannot get into the car park will have to find space somewhere on the approaches to the Bluffs.
However, YOU MUST NOT PARK ANYWHERE IN THE TURNING CIRCLE AT THE END OF SMYTHE DRIVE OR ANYWHERE ALONG THE ROAD THAT LEADS FROM THERE UP TO THE NEW PARK. THIS IS A PRIVATE ROAD AND THE EASEMENT AGREEMENT STIPULATES THAT THERE CAN BE NO PARKING ALONG HERE. BREACHING THAT AGREEMENT MAY RESULT IN ANNULMENT OF THE EASEMENT AGREEMENT.