I live in a neighbourhood called Valleycliffe, situated on Juniper Crescent, within Squamish, BC. Valleycliffe was first established in 1926 when logging began to take place due to the Merrill and Ring logging company (Aldridge 2011). Valleycliffe appeared to be an ideal logging environment; the rich and accessible forests in this area were an important resource that helped support timber extraction. Sawmills and logging operations became a part of Valleycliffe’s industrial change, meeting the demands for timber products (Aldridge 2011). During the 1920’s, Merrill and Ring established multiple logging camps in Squamish, with the first one situated in Valleycliffe. The camp employed 200 people and operated with loggers falling trees and steam donkeys transporting logs to the train, headed for the mouth of the Stawamus River (Aldridge 2011). This flood of sawmills and logging transformed Valleycliffe into an area heavily dependent on forestry, driving economic growth and offering employment opportunities which shaped the community. However, this era faced a downturn due to plummeting timber prices amid the Great Depression of the 1930’s (Aldridge 2011). However, the significant impact of the timber industry left major impacts on Valleycliffe’s environmental landscape. Excessive logging practices led to changes in the natural ecosystem. The forests that were cleared illustrate the relationship between industrial progress and environmental change. 

After World War II, Valleycliffe, like many other suburban areas, experienced another developmental phase. During this time, Valleycliffe began to represent the shift toward suburban living and consumerism that accommodated automobile development. This can be seen in the neighbourhood’s street designs that are geared towards automobile traffic. For example, the narrow streets and lack of sidewalks in Valleycliffe can represent the postwar era’s growing dependence on car usage. The neighbourhood is primarily built of single-family homes, reflecting the trends during its construction after World War II. In terms of housing, Valleycliffe has a blend of styles popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s, including two-storey and ranch-style homes. Additionally, the area also makes use of several parks, highlighting the significance of green spaces in suburban neighbourhood planning during that time. Despite changes over time, many of these features continue to define the area’s layout and housing styles.

In more recent years, Valleycliffe demonstrates an increased dedication to sustainability as illustrated throughout its urban planning documents that highlight pedestrian-friendly and environmentally-friendly improvements, including accessible walking trails, bike paths and pedestrian sidewalks (District of Squamish n.d.). The community’s ongoing sustainable initiatives, drawn from community records and urban planning, include efforts to improve water quality, repurpose industrial spaces, and prioritize eco-friendly developments, such as green spaces and wildlife conservation (District of Squamish 2020). These actions illustrate a commitment to environmental protection, aligning with a goal for a sustainable community. Challenges in wastewater management and affordability are ongoing efforts detailed in community reports and municipal documents to address these concerns (District of Squamish 2020).Valleycliffe’s goal of environmental sustainability reflects both progress and ongoing challenges, highlighting initiatives targeting air and water quality improvements while addressing affordability issues linked to sustainability.

The lasting impacts of logging on the landscape of Valleycliffe that are seen today may also represent the transition from Indigenous views and uses of the land to colonial views and uses of the land. Valleycliffe has a connection to its Indigenous heritage, primarily represented by the Squamish Nation. Historical records, including those shared by the Squamish Nation, indicate Indigenous peoples have lived in this area dating back approximately 8,000 to 10,000 years, following the retreat of the Sumas Glacier (History of Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Longshoremen, 1863–1963 2023). The Squamish Nation is important to Valleycliffe’s history and many Indigenous cultural practices tied to the land and seasons continue to be practiced today. Their traditional ways of living included living on and with the land in the form of food gathering, spiritual ceremonies, and cultural rituals that highlighted a connection with nature (Squamish Nation 2023). Through the oral traditions passed down through generations, the Squamish people share traditional knowledge relating to resilience, resourcefulness, and environmental stewardship. These stories often focus on the significance of the land’s resources, the seasonal changes that guided their way of life, and the spiritual ties and interconnectedness between the people and their environment (UBC 2009).

References

Aldridge, Ed. Merrill & Ring Logging Co. Camp. Squamish Public Library Digital Collection. Accessed 2011. https://squamishlibrary.digitalcollections.ca/merrill-ring-logging-co-camp 

District of Squamish. Active Transportation Plan. No date. https://squamish.ca/assets/Master-Plans/e5e8c6a9de/Active-Transportation-Plan.pdf 

District of Squamish Community Climate Action Plan. Accessed 2020. https://squamish.ca/assets/5a46b62375/CCAP-Update-January-2020-v2.pdf 

Squamish Nation. The Nation Today. Accessed 2023. https://www.squamish.net/about-our-nation/ 

UBC. Oral Traditions. Indigenous Foundations. Accessed 2009. https://indigenousfoundations.web.arts.ubc.ca/oral_traditions/ 

Wikipedia. History of Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Longshoremen, 1863–1963. Accessed 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Squamish_and_Tsleil-Waututh_longshoremen,_1863%E2%80%931963.