Rural, peaceful, beautiful, relaxed, unique.

That’s how respondents to a survey developed and sponsored by the All Point Bulletin, the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee and Jason MacDougall see the Point.

There were 61 responses to the online survey conducted during June and July. Half of the respondents identified themselves as full-time residents, 40 percent said they owned a cabin here and 15 percent were boaters.

Many respondents said Point Roberts was special because it was a pocket of rural serenity surrounded by the bustle of a large metropolitan area. “It is the very last nowhere surrounded by somewhere,” wrote one. “It is insulated, but not isolated,” said another. “We get such a feeling of peace as soon as we cross the border,” observed another.

The natural beauty of the area and the sense of community were identified by almost all respondents.

“It’s the most beautiful place in the world,” said one. “Also, I love that everyone waves to you as you drive by.”

“The infinite shades of greens, the laid back atmosphere, the countless people working to build community and summer sunsets on the west side,” said another. “People in the community: artists, writers, gardeners, musicians, inventors, leaders, etc.” said another.

Most cabin owners who responded said their family’s long connection to the Point made it a special place for them.
“Our family has been coming down to the Point for almost 25 years,” said one. “We have so many wonderful memories as children. This year the first grandchild made their first trip down. Three generations now enjoy this special and unique town.”

When it came to people’s favorite Point Roberts places, most respondents chose the beaches. Lighthouse Park was the hands down winner with Lily Point and Maple Beach not far behind. After the beaches most people chose home or their cabin, but there was a nod as well to the marina, the library and local restaurants.

The Fourth of July topped the list of events respondents attended, with 77 percent saying they had been to the parade. Seventy percent had attended the arts and music festival and just under 40 percent said they had been on the garden tour or to the marina’s seafood festival.

After spending time with family and relaxing on weekends the thing it was most important for people to be able to do on the Point was buy fresh meats and produce. The least important choice was to be able to pick up takeout food.

The border definitely topped the list of issues that affect respondent’s experience in Point Roberts, with U.S. and Canadian border wait times and NEXUS issues in a three way tie for most important. Having a dock at Lighthouse park was next in importance, ranked important or very important by most respondents. Public transportation ranked as the least pressing issue, with respondents ranking it between not important and neutral.

Asked what would enhance their experience in Point Roberts, trails and bike paths were the most common response. “Wide, smooth bike paths throughout the Point,” was one request. “We need a walking trail system that runs through the whole Point,” suggested one respondent. “More walkways along busy streets such as Marine Drive,” wrote another.

Replacing the dock at Lighthouse Park was also frequently mentioned. “The loss of the dock at Lighthouse is huge,” said one respondent. Several respondents wanted to see a lighthouse built at the park, a taxi service and a bigger library.

 “How about a sewer system here, how about a ferry service to the mainland (or even Friday Harbor), how about a real concrete landing strip for air service, how about something more in Point Roberts besides gas stations?” wrote one respondent.

“What about a ropes course or a Frisbee golf course in the Point Roberts parks district land?” suggested another.
“More parking at Maple Beach...the locals seem to think they own the road in front of their residences,” wrote another. The degradation of beach the Maple Beach needed to be reversed “before the wall collapses.”

Several respondents said the Point needed to offer more than beaches and woods. “Point Roberts is beautiful but it lacks and quaintness or charm,” wrote a resident who suggested a microbrewery, wood-fire pizza ovens, artisan galleries and similar businesses needed to grow along Gulf Road, making it more of a community center.

Outdoor burning of yard waste was a problem, several respondents thought, and there needed to be a community chipping/ composting program at the local transfer station.

Lack of representation at the county and lack of local governance was a frequent concern, and several respondents suggested it was time to look at incorporation again. “Can we have a mayor, council?” one asked. “There needs to be a more united front in dealing with local issues such as water and pipe upgrading and putting taxes back into services at the Point” said another.

One respondent blamed the community itself. “There is absolutely no leadership in terms of the future of Point Roberts and there is very little cooperation between residents and the county. There is no sense of community here because everyone is an expert and a know-it-all and nobody seems to be capable of working together on any single goal as a community.”

Many respondents were concerned about more development, wanting the Point to “stay the same,” while as many others wanted to see more development as long as it was careful and respected the rural character of the Point. “There is a constant tug between keeping it the same and more commercial development,” one respondent commented.

Asked to give their vision for the Point many respondents wanted it both ways.

“Keep that relaxed beach vibe while continuing to build up seasonal activities and services,” one wrote. “Gradual growth with a focus on maintaining the rural nature of the town,” wrote another.

“A quiet, wooded place with great parks, wonderful restaurants and access to the water.”

“More amenities for the community, less border hassles for everyone, maintaining the natural spaces we have.”

Keeping the Point “the same” was another vision for the future expressed by a number of respondents. One respondent hoped “that it remain as rural, quiet and undeveloped as it is now, with as much natural environment untouched.”

Several respondents suggested the Point could build on its rural character to grow the economy and the diversity of experience the community has to offer.

One respondent said the Point could be “a working model of a sustainable community,” and suggested farmer’s markets, eco-tourism, bike tours, a local brewery, could be part of the mix. “I would love to see the Point covered with gardens, fruit trees and a boosted local economy where everyone profits off of doing what they love.”