Pique editor Braden Dupuis brought my attention to this matter in his editorial on Whistler’s policy on the grizzly population (Pique, June 9). Perhaps there should be more consultation before things proceed further at “Grizzly Park.” The “upgrade” changes to Rainbow Park are taking a full year to develop, so hopefully there is time to reconsider for the bears’ sake.
“We built trails up there without really understanding the use of the area by bears. I think if we could do it now we would do things differently,” environmental stewardship manager Heather Beresford told Whistler’s mayor and council in 2020, of Whistler’s Alpine Trail Network opened on Sproatt and Rainbow mountains in 2017.
Whistlerites have asked for a reconsideration of the now-underway revamping of Rainbow Park. There are funds available from the province to do this work now, so there was not much chance to do fresh surveys and ask for input from locals, or tourists.
On the map of the proposal, there is a paved area for food trucks (how many food trucks? Two or six?). The grizzlies will be pleased to have the various enticing scents drifting up Sproatt and over to Rainbow, inviting them to come down and check things out.
How much does it cost to relocate a bear? Who pays for it? Do they come back? The folks in Whistler that I have spoken with are very surprised that food trucks are being located at Rainbow Park. If the park was busy before when folks had to pack a sandwich or a piece of fruit if they wanted to stay longer, it may be uncomfortably crowded if people come to HAVE lunch and want to stay a longer time. Then, what about the garbage—and the bears? Whistlerites are trained, but tourists are not.
