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Langley woman buys new tree after vandals hit off-leash park

Annette Waterman was shocked to see someone had cut maple trees at the off-leash park she has been coming to for 11 years.
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Annette Waterman, owner of Brookswood pet food store PetFude.ca has donated $500 to plant a new maple tree at the dog off-leash park on 206 Street - after vandals cut two trees down there Wednesday (Aug. 3) night.

A Langley resident is determined that some good come out of a senseless act of vandalism at a beloved off-leash dog park.

Annette Waterman couldn’t believe her eyes when she arrived at the Langley City off-leash park on 206 Street early Thursday morning with her Yorkie Anderson Pooper and her 16-year-old poodle Peanut.

“Sometime Wednesday evening, or into the night, someone cut down a large maple tree (just near the parking lot) and another one at the end of the path area in the back. It’s really upsetting,” said Waterman.

Both City officials and residents of the area are baffled as to why someone would do this.

Waterman thinks it would have had to take a chainsaw to cut the trees down. It’s a clean cut on both trees.

Langley City parks manager Geoff Mallory said it would have taken a chainsaw or a really good handsaw and a very determined person to cut threw those thick trunks.

Waterman owns the Brookswood pet food store PetFude.ca (beside Buy Low Foods).

“I’ve been walking my dogs at this park for 11 years, every morning. I think I remember when those trees were planted as a memorial to someone.”

The senseless act of vandalism has Waterman so bothered she decided to do something about it.

She is donating $500 through the City’s Park Foundation which is the exact cost of planting one new maple tree at the park.

“At least that will help a little,” she said.

PARK USERS CAN CONTRIBUTE

Waterman is hoping others will put a few dollars towards the Foundation to buy the other tree that was cut down.

“If everyone who enjoys the park through in $5, we could have that other tree planted in no time,” she said.

Every dollar contributed can help, she adds.

“The trees were still there at 7 p.m. on Wednesday but a lot of upset people noticed the vandalism early the next morning,” said Mallory. Some people report to be walking their dogs as late as 10 p.m. and the trees were still there.

So far, there haven’t been any reports of anyone seeing anything.

“This dog park doesn’t have boundaries, it is enjoyed by Township and City residents,” she said.

Numerous Langley dog owners who use the park have taken to social media to let others know about the vandalism and to see what can be done.

The off-leash park is one of, or the largest dog park in all of Metro Vancouver, offering 18 acres of open play area, trees and park benches.

“It’s really the best dog park I’ve ever seen,” said Mallory. “It’s a destination. We have people coming with their dogs from other communities like Maple Ridge, Surrey, to use this park.”

OFF-LEASH DOG PARK BIGGEST IN METRO VANCOUVER

“We love coming here. I had labs before these little guys, and all my dogs have loved this park. It’s really cared for and well maintained year-round,” said Waterman. “It’s really sad that someone would want to destroy any part of this park. Maybe it was kids who were bored and acting out? Either way, it’s sad.”

If you have information about this vandalism, call police on the non-emergency line at 604-532-3200. If you want to make a donation towards replanting a tree at the off-leash park, call Langley City Hall at 604-514-2800 or go to the finance department in City Hall.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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