Plateau Road. Resident s Association. Community Newsletter and Membership Information. ForbiddenPlateauRoadAssociation.com

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Lee Dorsey
5 years ago
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Our association is comprised entirely of volunteers, residents of the road, who make up our directors and board members. We meet monthly and hold annual elections every spring.

plans, getting high speed internet, lowering insurance costs, new developments, park concerns and maintenance, parking, and warning signals from BC Hydro, the woodlot, etc.

3) Foster road spirit the PRRA holds yearly events for our members and community like our annual BBQ, walk at Nymph and our annual clean up.

1 Fall 2010 Issue 1 Plateau Road Resident s Association Community Newsletter and Membership Information Greetings from the 2010 PRRA Board Hello Forbidden Plateau Road residents: I am Bev Hutchinson and I have the honour of being President of the Plateau Road Resident s Association (PRRA) this year. Our association is comprised entirely of volunteers, residents of the road, who make up our directors and board members. We meet monthly and hold annual elections every spring. We believe that our role in the association is threefold: 1) To discuss/solve issues that directly affect all of us - the PRRA deals with issues on behalf of their members like safety, emergency plans, getting high speed internet, lowering insurance costs, new developments, park concerns and maintenance, parking, and warning signals from BC Hydro, the woodlot, etc. 2) Be a liaison with the local government The PRRA acts as a liason with the local government where we actively represent Forbidden Plateau Road s issues and interests. 3) Foster road spirit the PRRA holds yearly events for our members and community like our annual BBQ, walk at Nymph and our annual clean up. Again, the PRRA exists to enhance the experience of living on our road and provide all our residents with a voice. If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to share them to me or any of the Board of Directors. Bev Hutchinson PRRA s first annual community walk at Nymph Falls Saturday, September 25th, 2010 the Plateau Road Resident s Association (PRRA) invites you to come out between 1:30 and 3:30 pm to Nymph Falls Park for the First Annual Community Walk at Nymph. Located on Forbidden Plateau Road, members of the PRRA will be available for a guided tour or you can explore the park with friends and family. A special guided tour hosted by Keith Seguin, Plateau Road s resident mushroom expert, who will be identifying the diversity of mushrooms in the park. The mushroom tour will be limited to 20 participants. We will be meeting at the Nymph Falls sign. For more information or to reserve your space for the guided mushroom tour call , bev@doggydo. ForbiddenPlateauRoadAssociation.com

2009-2010 Accomplishments & Goals During 2009 the Association completed the following items: Launched ForbiddenPlateauRoadAssociation.

Placement of concrete garbage contrainers in the park Doggy waste bag dispensers were placed at the park entrance General maintenance was done on the trails New metal grating was placed Over a 100 ft

2 Accomplishments & Goals During 2009 the Association completed the following items: Launched ForbiddenPlateauRoadAssociation.com - our first local community website Refined membership form and procedures Had BC Hydro turned off it sirens during the night and winter season Re-negoiated park contract with Regional District Placement of concrete garbage contrainers in the park Doggy waste bag dispensers were placed at the park entrance General maintenance was done on the trails New metal grating was placed Over a 100 ft of path shoring A bridge was replaced with more ecological/environmentally friendly fill. What we would like to complete in 2010: New signage for Nymph Falls A new alternative trail on the river walk to bypass the river overflow in high water Introduction of summer security patrols Toliet for Nymph Falls Emergency plan for Plateau Road residents Fall Walk at Nymph with the community Annual Members BBQ Annual Forbidden Plateau Road Clean up Volunteer safety patrols for the summer months. The history of Forbidden Plateau Did you know? Forbidden Plateau is an area rich in local history and folklore. The name is supposedly derived from a local native legend. Located on the lower slopes of Mount Becher, Forbidden Plateau is better known today as a year round recreation area for biking, hiking, climbing and fishing but, in the history of the Comox First Nations, the Plateau has a much darker side. The Legend When the Comox people faced raids from other coastal tribes, they took their women and children to the plateau for safekeeping. Once, during a raid by the Cowichan, the women and children vanished without a trace. When a member of the tribe went looking for the women and children within the Forbidden Plateau, he found red lichen covering the snow and nearby rocks and assumed the lichen to be blood from the family members. Since then, the plateau has become taboo for it was believed that it was inhabited by evil spirits who had consumed those they had sent Now known as a recreation destination European settlers arrived in the late 1800 s, and since then the plateau is now known as a recreation destination for hikers, backcountry and downhill skiiers, and mountain bikers. The first lodge was built on the plateau in the 1930 s and served as an access to the back country, and to what is now Strathcona Provincial Park. In 1949, ski lifts were installed and skiing operations began as Wood Mountain ski park, and continued to be the main ski area until Mount Washington opened in Although the lodge no longer exists, and the lifts are not operational, due to a fire in 1992, Forbidden Plateau continues to attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Photo credits: Bev Hutchinson and Catherine Egan

Membership Information Why join the Plateau Road Resident s Association? To discuss/solve issues that directly affect our local community, i.e., emergency plans, delivery of high speed internet service, community safety.

3 Membership Information Why join the Plateau Road Resident s Association? To discuss/solve issues that directly affect our local community, i.e., emergency plans, delivery of high speed internet service, community safety... To have an organized voice that liaisons with local government, i.e. management of Nymph Falls Park, and related interests and issues To foster road spirit with our members and the community To promote your business to other members through the PRRA website, as well as access important online community information. Membership Form If you would like to become a member of the Plateau Road Residents Association please fill in the membership form and mail to: Plateau Road Resident s Association, 4704 Forbidden Plateau Rd, Courtenay, BC V9J 1R3 Or visit forbiddenplateauroadassociation.com/membership to download the membership form and to: bev@doggydo.org. New Membership Guidelines 1) When you purchase a membership it is for one residence and includes all family members 2) The membership fee per year is $5.00 payable to the Plateau Road Resident s Association 3) Membership is for a period of one year 4) Membership is defined as January 1st until December 31st of the specified year 5) Membership entitles the participants to attend the annual Board of Directors meeting, in addition to attending the annual BBQ. First Name: Last Name: Family Members Names: Address: Home Phone Number: Work/Cell: Address: Are you interested in: Getting involved on a PRRA committee or on the Board? Yes, please contact me Your business profiled on the website? us your information words or less Would you like to receive the next PRRA newsletter by ? Information available on our Association website: New Residents on the Road - Emergency numbers for fire, police, cougar and other wildlife issues, water testing, etc. Announcements Businesses on the Road Board of Directors and contact info Meeting minutes ForbiddenPlateauRoadAssociation.com

Do you have a Grab and Go Bag for each family member? Preparations such as packing a Grab and Go bag make a big difference in the event of a disaster Do you have a Grab and Go checklist?

com to download a Grab and Go checklist Most items on the checklist can be found around your home Pack healthy foods with a long shelf life Remember to pack supplies for your pets Consider including

accessible location Pack lightly - each person will have to carry his or her own bag Decide on a system to remind yourself when it is time to check on expiry dates in Grab and Go bags.

4 Do you have a Grab and Go Bag for each family member? Preparations such as packing a Grab and Go bag make a big difference in the event of a disaster Do you have a Grab and Go checklist? Visit forbiddenplateauroadassociation.com to download a Grab and Go checklist Most items on the checklist can be found around your home Pack healthy foods with a long shelf life Remember to pack supplies for your pets Consider including a few personal photos as well as pictures of pets Identify a person willing to act as your family s out-of-town contact Keep your out-of-town contact card in your wallet, and Grab and Go bag in an accessible location Pack lightly - each person will have to carry his or her own bag Decide on a system to remind yourself when it is time to check on expiry dates in Grab and Go bags. Forbidden Plateau Community & Recreation Area Courtenay Comox Comox Lake Cumberland dian.smit@nerdsonsite.com 877-My NERDS ( ) we know stuff Computer Sales - Service Business and Residential Networking Internet connection Backup Did you know... the Forbidden Plateau area has two environmentally sustainable official woodlots, as well as some privately maintained wooded lands still left that support wild life habitat and the watershed? It is something to be proud about of, and to protect in our rural landscape. Mountain Spirit GARDEN ESTATES a mountain, a forest, a valley at your doorstep... nature at its best! Available for Sale Two - 5 acre rural estates on protected woodland Private trails, bordered by park off of Forbidden Plateau Rd Serviced (hydro/telephone) & drilled wells Ready to your build eco-friendly, nature inspired home Only 6 minutes off the Inland Highway Visit our Open House on Sundays 1-3 and check out our network of trails on Lot 5 & or a different breed of kennel DAYCARE TRAINING BOARDING GROOMING WALKING bev@doggydo.org 4704 Forbidden Plateau Rd, Courtenay, BC

Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness NEPP Comox Valley Neighbours Helping Neighbours Did you know?

Or some other Natural or Man-made Disaster In 1946, Forbidden Plateau was the epicenter for the largest earthquake recorded in Canadian

Fortunately there was not much damage in the immediate area, but it was recorded that nearly all of the chimneys in Cumberland crumbled

? I met my neighbor recently at the park and she asked me, Imagine a disaster such as an earthquake hitting the Comox Valley right now

We talked about the likelihood of no power or telephones, broken windows and other property damage, and worst.

5 Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness NEPP Comox Valley Neighbours Helping Neighbours Did you know? in the event of: Earthquake Forest Fire Flood Power Outage Winter Storm Are YOU Ready? Or some other Natural or Man-made Disaster In 1946, Forbidden Plateau was the epicenter for the largest earthquake recorded in Canadian history, measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale. Fortunately there was not much damage in the immediate area, but it was recorded that nearly all of the chimneys in Cumberland crumbled on that day. Earthquake in the Comox Valley?? I met my neighbor recently at the park and she asked me, Imagine a disaster such as an earthquake hitting the Comox Valley right now what would we do if both bridges leading to our road collapsed? We ended up comparing notes on each other s preparedness. We talked about the likelihood of no power or telephones, broken windows and other property damage, and worst.no way of getting into town or back home if the bridges were affected. Are You Ready?? After a major disaster it is probable that regular Emergency Services will not be able to response for an estimated 72 hours or longer in rural areas. Who Do You Call? Comox Valley Emergency Program Ph: Moray Ave., Courtenay, BC V9N 7S7 Fax: cvep@shawcable.com Supported by: JEPP (Joint Emergency Preparedness Program) You Can Help!

It is vital that you and your neighbours are able to rely on each other. Experience shows that after a major disaster your most reliable source of help are your neighbours.

Unlike fire or crime, there is nothing we can do to prevent a natural disaster from happening. WE CAN BE PREPARED for it when it does happen. How can I HELP?? Why do I need to worry?

As a member of your Neighbourhood Team, you will learn about: Personal Preparedness Neighbourhood Organizing Fire Suppression Survival First Aid Light Urban/Rural Rescue Damage Assessment Community

Emergency water Reducing structural hazards Emergency food Earthquake damage Checklist Checklist Session 3: Fire Sanitation Disaster response routes Scenarios Checklist Session 4: For neighbourhood

6 It is vital that you and your neighbours are able to rely on each other. Experience shows that after a major disaster your most reliable source of help are your neighbours. This is especially true if you have prepared beforehand. Once your own household is prepared, you will be able to help your neighbourhood in a meaningful way to cope with emergency situations. Unlike fire or crime, there is nothing we can do to prevent a natural disaster from happening. WE CAN BE PREPARED for it when it does happen. How can I HELP?? Why do I need to worry?? Join the Comox Valley Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program and learn how to prepare yourself, your family and your neighbourhood to know what to do in an emergency. As a member of your Neighbourhood Team, you will learn about: Personal Preparedness Neighbourhood Organizing Fire Suppression Survival First Aid Light Urban/Rural Rescue Damage Assessment Community Preparedness Course Outline: Sessions 1 to 3 cover Personal Preparedness Session 1: Session 2: Natural Gas Drop Cover Hold Hot water tank strapping Non-structural hazards Insurance Safe Places Emergency water Reducing structural hazards Emergency food Earthquake damage Checklist Checklist Session 3: Fire Sanitation Disaster response routes Scenarios Checklist Session 4: For neighbourhood presentation only Neighbourhood assembly point Neighbourhood teams Community alert network Neighbourhood checklist Evaluation forms Interested in getting involved and learning more about neighbourhood preparedness? The Plateau Road Resident s Association is planning to invite a NEPP Comox Valley representative to our neighbourhood to hold an information session on how we, as residents on Forbidden Plateau Road, can organize a Neighbourhood Emergency Team. The first part (~1 hour) is on Personal Preparedness - being our own for the 72 hours and the second part is on planning a neighbourhood program. Please us or call if you are interested in more information or would like to be contacted on date and location of NEPP presentation: Ph: bev@doggydo.org Websites to visit: NEPP Comox Valley sponsored by Soroptimist International of Courtenay

Household Preparedness Guide

PreparedBC: Household Preparedness Guide A guide for protecting your family PreparedBC HOUSEHOLD PREPAREDNESS GUIDE Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and wildfires are just some of the potential hazards in