Abbotsford woman petitions province to reopen Peace Arch Park

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 130) — An Abbotsford woman wants the province to find a way to reopen Peace Arch Park.

The province made the move to close the park after traffic doubled, and amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Washington State.

Megan Ferguson’s fiance lives in Washington state, and she was “devastated” by the closure of the park on June 19.

“It was kind of one of the only places that we were able to meet up and actually spend time together and connect and see each other,” she says.

“That was one of the only places that we had and now it’s like they’re taking that away. It’s just really discouraging.”

The Canada-U.S. border has closed to non-essential travel on March 21, separating couples like Ferguson and her fiance.

RELATED: Peace Arch Park closing temporarily as number of visitors doubles

So, she’s launched a petition asking Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry to “innovate” and developed protocols that allow couples to meet, while also protecting health and safety.

“I think that the park should reopen but 100 per cent with some precautions. I think that the two countries should brainstorm and find a way that we can protect everyone,” she explains.

Ferguson does not dismiss concerns over a spike in cases across the line.

“I think it’s very feasible but I do understand the anxiety around it. I completely understand where they’re coming from. It’s really scary,”

Some of the precautions she suggests are temperature checks for visitors to the park, and a reservation system to limit visitors.

Meantime, she and her fiance have options.

“I’m really thankful that we live in an era where there’s technology. I plan to FaceTime and call of course but it’s not quite the same as being in person. But we’ll make due.”