Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary began this week to remove its south wharf, just below the Lochside Regional Trail.
The wharf has been closed to the public since last July, when it was determined that it was unsafe due to deterioration.
An inspection confirmed the wooden floating structure was beyond repair and had reached the end of its life.
Nature sanctuary executive director Kathleen Burton said that a plan to rebuild the wharf was floated but rejected when the quotes they received were “ridiculously high.”
“In terms of priority, replacing the wharf paled compared with replacing a needed bridge in the near future,” said Burton.
“Also, we have just replaced the boardwalk at a cost of $1.2 million.”
She said the bridge replacement was priority, as it is part of the nature sanctuary’s Loop Trail.
After the wharf is removed, the area will be remediated and replanted with native species.
The wharf had been a popular place for the public to enjoy a sunset, bird-watch or eat lunch, but the nature sanctuary says its removal and re-naturalization of the area will allow plant life to once again flourish, and provide a refuge for the animals that call the wetland home.
They include endangered painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), chorus frogs (Pseudacris triseriata) and the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa).
The wetland also serves as a place of refuge for migratory birds and resident Trumpeter swans.
“As much as we love to give people a place to appreciate nature, our first priority is to nature,” Burton said.
While the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Nature House is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the trails are still open for visitors to enjoy.
Visitors are reminded that dogs are not permitted on the grounds of the sanctuary.
For more information, go to swanlake.bc.ca.
