Several years ago, before my family moved to Squamish, I was waiting outside my sons’ Burnaby elementary school chatting with other parents when we heard a weird thump and then screams. People ran toward the commotion. A pedestrian had been hit at the crosswalk that led from the school to a residential neighbourhood.
The realization that someone was struck and lying on the ground not moving was a sickening feeling that never leaves you. Moments after running out of school at the end of the day, a young girl was now completely still, facedown on the road – her backpack and shoes strewn around her.
Minutes that seemed endless followed before the ambulance arrived.
The worst part was, those of us who frequented the area had feared an accident was inevitable.
It was an increasingly busy area with a perfect storm of increased traffic and pedestrians; there was confusion and chaos as various users came and went – some to the school, others rushing by to the mall. It was hard for drivers to make sense of what was happening. That stretch of road was an accident waiting to happen.
And this is how many are starting to feel about the stretch of Government Road in front of the Eagle Run dike and WaterShed Grill restaurant in Brackendale.
Brandy Willmot, co-owner of the WaterShed, spoke to council last week to express her concerns about public safety and to request something be done.
Willmot previously wrote to council in 2013 about the same issue.
“It is a very dangerous and tumultuous space to go through,” she explained.
Though the restaurant is on reserve land, not District land, council directed District staff to look into making the area safer, including a possible crosswalk with beacons for those crossing to the restaurant or to the dike.
Part of the issue is that the restaurant needs more space for customer parking, but even with that, more needs to be done.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman suggested a master plan is needed for the entire Eagle Run area.
I agree. Stakeholders and landowners, including the District of Squamish, Squamish Nation and the restaurant ownership all have a duty to protect residents, visitors and patrons.
It is our collective responsibility to not just build a community that people flock to, but to protect them when they do– before it is too late.
