It is not typical for Tulip to go out cycling on a dismal weather day, but this was no ordinary day. When she thinks about that she realizes that no one day seems to be typical or ordinary. Every day is unique and can be as special as you would like it to be. It is in that frame of mind that she dressed warmly and brightly, pulled her bicycle from the garage and made the eight kilometer journey to downtown Maple Ridge.
This day was the biggest and most intensely planned celebration of the City of Maple Ridge: her 150th year as a proud, growing community in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia Canada.
The organizers, participants and sponsors created a plethora activities, events, displays, performances and flashback memories of how things started and evolved. From significant forestry hub and bedroom community, from village, to town, to district to city, Maple Ridge has grown and changed. Tulip and her sidekick have lived through much of it and they remain proud and comfortable in the same home, in the same peaceful setting — nicely paired with a protected tiny backyard forest. It’s been nearly 35 years and counting.
As she arrived at 224th and Dewdney Trunk Road, sort of the entrance to downtown, drenched, she happily flipped her wet leg over the back of her bicycle, took off her helmet, swung it over the handlebars, took a swig of lemon water from her water bottle, shook the raindrops from her waterproof jacket, and started her journey into the celebration.
Despite the dismal weather tethering on drizzle and sometimes more, the streets were filled with people of all ages, all walks of life, all cultural backgrounds, wandering happily from tent to tent, table to table, busker to busker, stage to stage.
Tulip checked her bicycle at the HUB Cycling Valet station and followed the path to the main stage all ready for the big name entertainment later in the programme. She stopped at all the various entrepreneurs’ tents along a snake-like stretch, expressing curiosity about their trades and creations, but also to get some shelter from the rain.
Along the way various merchants had spinning wheels from which spinners could win prizes. Everyone loves a surprize. Everyone loves a prize. Tulip spinned a few and gathered pencils, a souvenir Maple Ridge Anniversary mug, water bottle, and colouring book pages for the younglings. She stopped in at the More Than Just Pajamas booth because a 50% off sign caught her eye. There she found a beautiful garment: cotton, handmade and almost Galactic with Northern Lights colours, calling out her name. Instantly she knew it was meant to be and happily paid the price. It included an environmentally friendly fabric bag in which she would be able to carry a lot of the swag.
This celebration was filled with joyful, friendly local and non-local people. It gave them affirmation that Maple Ridge is a happening place — a place where people from far and wide, have settled, raised families, started businesses, enjoyed fresh air, nature, wildlife, recreation, sports and so much more.
As Tulip prepared to leave the event, she stood back at the main stage area to reflect. From Agriculture to Industry, Education to Entrepreneurship, Commerce to Economic Development, and Indoor and Outdoor Recreation to Entertainment — all of this defines Maple Ridge; all of this gives the community substance, energy and spirit. The City is ready to continue to build on the efforts and successes of the past, retaining the reputation of being a snug community slowly striving to move thoughtfully further forward, embracing its progressive history and impressive present, while being ready for a future that doesn’t leave it behind.
As she heads toward the Bicycle Valet, Tulip stops to the scent of Vietnamese Spring Rolls — 3 for $10 and a perfect snack to end a perfect refreshing, pride-filled Autumn outing. She sits under a tent nearby and jots down some notes. Her community is a growing and modernizing place. It is surrounded by Nature, creativity, innovation, and the right kind of “across the spectrum” leadership to recognize, respect and value what the community-involved decision making, including the wisdom and input of the Katsie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation upon whose unceded land the City sits, has accomplished over the past 150 years.
Over the 30+ years that she has lived in Maple Ridge, Tulip realizes that subtle and sometimes bold changes brought the City to this point. Some people liked it while it was unfolding and others didn’t. Steady, subtle and other bold changes will likely come into play continuously — some will like this and others won’t. That seems to be the way the world unfolds!
As she munches down the last bite of the third spring roll and wipes her mouth clean, she writes one last note for the City Council’s Debating Guidelines: BOLD DECISION MAKING — let the spirit and essence of “community and Nature” always be paired with community growth decision making for the years ahead.
With that she picks up her bicycle, and happily rides along well-marked bicycle lanes. She makes her way home safely, smiling about yet another wonderful atypical and far from ordinary day in her coveted hometown of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. #cityofmapleridge City of Maple Ridge
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