The City of Surrey is planning a major expansion of the Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery (14850-28th Avenue) to increase its capacity and create more interment options. This expansion will impact approximately 30 acres of mature second-growth forest located south of 28th Avenue and east of 148th Street. The last cemetery expansion resulted in clear-cutting forested land, and this new plan threatens even more of our valuable green space.   

The Semiahmoo Trail, along with adjacent trails, runs through this forest. This 800-meter stretch is the last remaining section of the original trail that stretches from New Westminster to Blaine, Washington, and it is surrounded by forest. This area represents not only an important piece of local heritage, but also the “natural heritage” of the trail itself.   For more information check out this link.

This forest is a vital ecosystem—a biodiverse, mature second-growth area that has recovered from logging over 140 years ago. It is a place enjoyed daily by our community, wildlife, and countless bird species. Beyond its beauty, it serves as the green lung of our neighborhood, supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna. The loss of this forest would be a blow to both our local environment and the well-being of our community.

Urban green spaces like this one are essential for our health, biodiversity, and ecological balance. While we understand the need for cemetery expansion, we strongly believe that new cemetery space should not come at the cost of destroying valuable, biodiverse second-growth forests that have been quietly sustaining our environment for generations.

This petition represents a unified call from the community to preserve what remains of this precious green space. We urge the City of Surrey to reconsider this proposed expansion and protect the forest for future generations.

Please join us in safeguarding this vital green space for our children, our wildlife, and our community. Sign this petition today and help us ensure that this natural heritage remains intact for years to come.

To express your concern directly to City of Surrey Council, send the following email to the clerks@surrey.ca addressed to the Council-in-Committee of Surrey, BC.

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Dear Mayor Locke and Councillors,

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of South Surrey and the surrounding areas, are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed expansion of the Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery in Surrey, BC. While we understand the need for municipal cemeteries to accommodate growing populations, we believe this expansion threatens valuable cultural, environmental, and social assets that should be preserved for future generations.

We are deeply concerned about the following issues:

1. Preservation of Cultural Heritage

The Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery expansion plan endangers the integrity of the Semiahmoo Trail, an area with profound historical and cultural significance to our community. The Semiahmoo Trail is a heritage site that has stood as a living testament to our shared history. It also serves as an educational resource, teaching our youth about local traditions, culture, and history. The proposed expansion would alter or damage this vital historical asset, disrupting its legacy and diminishing its educational value for future generations. As such, we urge that the Semiahmoo Trail and the surrounding land be preserved in its current state.

2. Ecological Impact and Environmental Harm

The proposed expansion of the cemetery would require the destruction of forested areas that are critical to maintaining local biodiversity and ecological balance. These forests serve as habitat for wildlife, support plant species, and contribute to local carbon sequestration efforts. The removal of trees and alteration of the land would have significant negative effects on the surrounding ecosystem, disrupting wildlife migration patterns and contributing to the loss of natural green space. Protecting the local ecosystem should be a priority, and the current plan does not sufficiently account for the long-term environmental consequences.

3. Cultural Sensitivity and Community Harmony

As a multicultural and diverse country, Canada respects the traditions and customs of its various communities. Locating a cemetery in close proximity to a residential neighborhood may cause cultural and religious sensitivities for residents who do not share similar customs. Cemeteries, for many, are sacred spaces and should be placed in locations that minimize disruption to the living community’s daily life and respect diverse cultural practices. The proposed expansion could create cultural friction, as it may not align with the values or traditions of all community members.

4. Social and Community Impact

The placement of a cemetery near a densely populated urban area and commercial district could lead to social tensions and disrupt the overall harmony of the neighborhood. Cemeteries are best located in areas that do not interfere with the daily lives of nearby residents and businesses. The proximity of a cemetery to a residential community could raise concerns among residents regarding property values, noise, and visual impact. It is essential to carefully consider the social implications of cemetery location to preserve the cohesiveness and peaceful coexistence of the community.

5. Availability of Alternative Land

Surrey has abundant land available in areas where the cemetery expansion could occur without the need to disturb or disrupt cultural heritage sites, valuable green space, or residential communities. We strongly believe that other locations should be explored for the cemetery expansion that would better align with environmental protection, cultural sensitivity, and the long-term social well-being of the community. This alternative approach would allow the City to meet its needs while respecting the community’s values and priorities.

Conclusion

We respectfully urge the Council-in-Committee to consider our concerns with the proposed expansion of the Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery.   The destruction of the Semiahmoo Trail and the surrounding forest, the ecological harm, and the potential cultural and social conflicts make this plan untenable. We request that alternative locations be identified for the expansion of the cemetery, ones that respect the natural, historical, and social fabric of our community.