Residents near the Albion Sports Complex in Maple Ridge are urging the city to pave the gravel parking lot. Klara Sinclair, a local homeowner, started a petition to bring attention to the ongoing dust problem caused by the unpaved lot.
Sinclair lives near the east border of the sports complex. She says dust from the gravel parking lot constantly settles on her property, as well as on her neighbors’ homes, cars, and outdoor furniture.
“There are many tournaments, like ball games and the BC Games last year, where they even set up beach volleyball nets,” Sinclair explained. “There are also events like Caribbean Fest and Country Fest that bring a lot of parking demand.”
The dust problem is more than just a nuisance. Sinclair shared how residents clean their homes and furniture regularly, but the dust quickly returns. “We power wash our houses in the spring, but within a month, it looks like we never did. Cars get dirty again in two days, so there’s no point in washing them,” she said.
Health concerns add urgency to the call for paving. “Those of us with respiratory issues find it harder to breathe during dry spells when dust levels rise,” Sinclair noted on her petition page.
The gravel parking lot is located on 104 Avenue, just west of 105 Avenue. Sinclair’s home is about half a block east of 105 Avenue. She described how in busy times, especially during August, the dust can be so thick that visibility is low near the parking gates.
“When there’s a lot of activity in the lot, you can barely see through the dust clouds,” she said. The sports complex is busier now than it was eight years ago when Sinclair first moved to the area.
Since starting the petition three months ago, Sinclair has gathered 250 supporters. She hopes to bring the issue before the city council and push for the parking lot to be paved.
Those interested in supporting the petition can find it by visiting change.org and searching for “Maple Ridge, BC.”
