COVERING OF DRAINAGE DITCH

IN THE 0) UJ y
e if

2600 and 1/00 BLOCKS APR 3 1978

COMITTLAM AVENUE

Mayor Jack Campbell end members of council:

On behalf of the residents of the 1600 and 1700 blocks Coquitlam Avenue, I would
like to request council's consideration of a project to cover the open drainage ditch on

the north side of the aveme.,

The ditch is about five feet deep and four feet wide at the top. ‘there are secondary

pipes into the ditch from the area on the opposite side of the avenue and, I understand,
the ditch is used for draining of the slight slope to the north, In times of heavy rain

there can be about a foot of water minning in the ditch although generally it is dry.

Some stretches of the ditch have been covered in the 1500-block, But most remains
open in that block and, except for a dus ston area and driveways, completely open in the
1700 block. In the blocks both east and west, the ditch has heen coveret, In fact,
improvements in the 1500 hlock have reached the point where curbing is beiyé put in on
both sides of the avenue. While we don't begrudge the improvements, the effect is to make

our two blocks appear to be an unkempt island of municipal unconcern.

However, while we have some concern for the appearance of our street, we have a much
tJ ry

@raver concern - that of safety.

The grounds of James Park Flementary School end a small park area front on the
1700-block Coquitlam Avenue. The school building on that side is used for handicapped

children and a large number of the students from the school at large come and go home

along and across the Avenue

We know council is aware of and concerned abcut the possible hazards of an open
ditch to children of an elementary school ages We understand council already has

covered the ditch on Westminster which borders the school grounds opposite to

contd. p2,