DIDSBURY - Retaining a municipally-owned property on 22nd Street in Didsbury as a public park would have benefits for the community-at-large and would be supported by residents, say proponents.
Located at 2134 - 22nd Street, the 3.17-acre property is the former site of Didsbury High School. The property is already zoned institutional, so no rezoning would be required to keep it as a park as a permitted use in an institutional district, council heard.
Kathleen Windsor, a proponent of keeping the property as a park, made a presentation to council during the recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting following public consultation through social media, personal visits and phone calls.
“What is paramount right now, and I can’t emphasis it enough, is council’s decision to leave the former high school land, also known as Moose Fence Park, as is, letting it become a truly special public space, a place people go to for that feeling of connection with their neighbours and the opportunities for adding to our community’s spirit,” Windsor said.
“I am proposing town council be open to the possibility of leaving this park as a park.”
The area has been used by residents for many years, including for events such as Canada’s 150th anniversary, she said.
“It is a perfect location with a well-used parking lot, with the golf course, basketball court, and a condo nearby, as well as being near two schools and the museum, three facilities that cater to education, culture and heritage in all facets,” she said.
Windsor used social media to garner some public comments about the possibility of keeping the park as a park, comments that she presented to council.
She highlighted several of the comments for council: “I would rather see it as a community space than have it turned into high density housing”, “It’s such a great green space, and a lot of residents already use it” and “I think the town should utilize it in a way that benefits the community for sure. I think it would be a shame if it were sold to developers.”
Keeping the property as a park would be supported by the town’s Central Core Heritage Plan, Municipal Development Plan, Strategic Plan, and Open Spaces Asset Management Plan, she said.
“The grounds are easily promoted as a four-season public parkland, showcasing Didsbury’s natural beauty and community collaboration,” she said.
Other area towns have public and community parks located in their respective downtown cores and Didsbury should do the same, she said.
“Growing towns like Carstairs, Crossfield and Olds all have parks right in their downtowns and are thriving,” she said.
Windsor presented letters of support for keeping the property as a public park from the Didsbury Museum, Westglen School, Ross Ford Elementary School and the Didsbury Municipal Library.
Council accepted Windsor’s presentation as information and instructed administration to bring the matter back before at the next council meeting for further discussion.
