Sundre town councillors have reviewed a proposed policy setting out guidelines for the use, rules and regulations and rental charges for the town-owned Greenwood Campground.
During last week's governance committee meeting, councillors reviewed the proposed policy #316 before forwarding it to the Feb. 28 town council meeting for consideration.
The policy states, in part, that the park is “a public area with a trail running along the river. Users of the trail will be asked to stay on the trail or on the campground roads. If a trail user walks through the campground sites, that user will be asked to follow those rules and if they refuse, they will be asked to leave the campground.”
Rules set out in the new policy include the following: “campsites must be kept neat and tidy at all times”, “quiet hours are in effect from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.”, “consumption of liquor must be contained within the individual sites”, “fires are restricted to designated sites”, “no vehicles are allowed on grass areas”, “only one vehicle per campsite”.
As well, the policy states that the host will “refuse admittance to a guest or may request guests to leave a campground if the guests are rude, disorderly or not following the rules and regulations of the campground.”
Official park naming policy recommended
In other news coming out of last week's governance committee meeting, town councillors forwarded a recommendation to this week's council meeting that the town adopt an official park naming policy.
The town currently names parks and other facilities on an ad hoc basis.
“The naming of parks, trails and facilities in a municipality can be a contentious and passionate issue and requires due consideration,” interim CAO Wanda Watson Neufeld said in a note to council.
“It is recommended that uniform signage be used throughout the town to enhance recognition of recreation opportunities and to enhance the visual appearance on a town wide basis.
“It is suggested that the town initiate a program for the naming of the parks and playgrounds and that they be signed in a consistent manner.”
Typically, park naming policies provide a hierarchy of how a park will be named, she said. This includes naming parks after sponsorship, historical events or people, or to commemorate achievement, distinctive service or significant community contribution.
“Council should determine where their priority preference lies so administration can incorporate a naming hierarchy into the policy,” she said.
Administration would like to incorporate uniform signage into the policy, as uniform signage and well maintained parks will revitalize neighbourhoods, and will eventually result in increased property values for surrounding properties, she said.
Memorial Park proposed
The town's Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Committee has recommended the town contact the Sundre Legion to discuss the possibility of a memorial park being located near the cenotaph in east Sundre.
“During its meeting on Jan. 26, the committee discussed possible options for the public use area located around the cenotaph and recommended that this space would be better utilized as a memorial park as opposed to a showcase park in the southeast quadrant.”
Councillors instructed administration to begin talks with the Legion regarding the park.
Showcase and pocket parks proposal tabled
The town's Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Committee has recommended that council authorize maintaining and development of so-called pocket parks throughout the town and provide one showcase park in each quadrant.
“Council determined a direction for parks during the strategic planning session in July 2010. It was suggested at this session that the town feature four showcase parks, one in each quadrant. Furthermore, council would continue to promote the development of smaller parks in neighbourhoods throughout the town.
“Although this was discussed and agreed upon at the strategic planning session, council has not made a formal supporting motion.”
Consultant Gil Pensacola told the committee that sustainable communities have a park within walking distance of every residence.
The matter was tabled until maps of the proposed parks are brought back before the governance committee.
Flags for sale
Councillors have passed a motion allowing for the sale of Town of Sundre flags with the new logo at a cost of $120 including GST.
“A local company approached the Town of Sundre to purchase flags to fly at their location. They have indicated that they will be purchasing approximately four flags per year due to wear and tear,” said Watson Neufeld.
The retail cost of the new flags to the Town of Sundre will be $104, creating revenue of $15.05 per flag sold.
Councillors also instructed administration to get in contact with the Chamber of Commerce to see if the chamber would like to sell flags at the Visitor Information Centre.
