Many thanks to the local residents who signed a petition declaring themselves ‘In favour of leaving Baybrook in its natural state’. The Mack Laing Heritage Society strongly supports this declaration.
The current ‘natural state’ of this property includes a partially-paved road and rickety bridge over Brooklyn Creek, a long curve of the Creek emptying into the estuary, a mature orchard, gravel pathways, extensive exposed middens, a tidal marsh, and Baybrook house itself with its magnificent view. None of this should be compromised.
The Society, in cooperation with Comox Valley Nature and Project Watershed, has presented a very modest proposal to repair and maintain Baybrook house – at its own expense – for use as an interpretive centre. This would not impact the ‘natural state’ of the property, but would encourage visitors to appreciate its history and the importance of the estuary.
The Baybrook property is completely unsuitable for the commercial activities regularly hosted at Filberg Park – and nothing of the sort is being considered. Baybrook is a nature park and has been so declared by the Town of Comox and the BC Nature Trust (although the zoning remains R1 at present).
Any other interpretation of the Society’s plans for Baybrook house misrepresents the Society, its proposal, and the Town of Comox. Precise, concise details can be read in the Society’s new brochure, or downloaded from its website at www.macklaingsociety.ca.
The Society does have serious concerns about the security of the property, however, particularly since local rowdies have discovered it. A security gate at the property entrance would solve this problem, and the Society has recommended this to the Comox Parks Department.
The Mack Laing Heritage Society is committed to creating a community benefit in the form of a small interpretive centre, and working with its partners, the Town of Comox, and local residents to achieve this.
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