Festival would have done severe damage

Re: Local nightlife kingpin blasts Vancouver over music festival's rejection.

New Brighton Park is the only water-access park in east Vancouver.

Imagine what condition the field would be in if the event had gone ahead. If it was damaged, as it surely would have been with wet weather, it would take out for weeks the major natural recreational area for families in the northeast corner of Vancouver, and the only one on the water. The fact that many families in Hastings-Sunrise have limited resources makes that green space particularly important.

Two days of intense light and noise would likely result in the death of a large percentage of fledgling ground nesting birds that have been attracted to the park by an award-winning marine restoration program that radically improved the park in 2016-17. Four thousand native shrubs were planted to improve the biodiversity and attract bird life to the area, which is just coming into fruition now.

I'm sure almost every resident near New Brighton applauds the park board's decision. I have been working for over two years at New Brighton to improve its biodiversity on the west side, so am well acquainted with it. The park is most often busy with dog owners and families enjoying its views and natural spaces. It's certainly full up on summer weekends.

And for those who haven't visited New Brighton Park, be sure to add it to your plans. You will see on the east side a very impressive marine restoration area with surrounding native shrubs. On the west side you will see the Nature Vancouver-led enhancement project, which with over 200 volunteers over 85 work dates in just over two years, has changed the area from being overrun with invasive Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry and other invasive species to the start of an interesting and vibrant natural space.

New Brighton Park is a northeast jewel in Vancouver parks — all of which we should celebrate, be proud of and work to defend.

Nigel Peck, Nature Vancouver