Sundre citizens attending two open houses last month have told the town by a clear majority they do not want the community's pocket parks sold off.
They have also said green spaces are a priority, that they add to the quality of life for residents and visitors.
Administration formally presented to council on Dec. 17 its Town Land Open House Report from the two open houses held Nov. 28 and 29. The report contained results from questionnaires and letters from citizens, including school students.
“I am not liking the idea of selling the parks,” said Grade 6 student Kyle Chalmers in his letter to the town. “I disagree with you because the children of the areas play at the parks and other people are having picnics there. I also think that green spaces are healthy for people.”
The open houses were held following a public outcry in October when administration proposed to council to pass first reading to sell off five little-used pocket parks. The town also expressed its intent to develop a sixth pocket park for a future doctor's residence. The intent for a seventh park, the soccer pitch, was to keep it as is until an alternate location could be found.
Following passionate angry submissions at the October meeting, council backed off from the plan to hold first reading, and open houses were then scheduled.
During the Dec. 17 council meeting a motion was passed to accept the results for information while another was defeated to have the open house information as part of the new Recreation Master Plan, which is expected to be unveiled to the public in 2013.
Coun. Tony Jordan then made another motion, which was passed by council, to move the discussion to the Jan. 7 council meeting in order for the public to voice their opinions before any decisions are made.
“I felt that citizens really had some strong input regarding parks and green spaces in Sundre, so as council I feel before we put anything into any plan or recreation plan regarding parks, green spaces, all of that, we really need to make sure that we have the public's input,” said Jordan.
He said the two open houses were well attended and citizens shared “excellent concerns.” Jordan said public input to council was a “good sounding board.”
“It's just best to consult with the public again going forward and to make sure that everybody's aware of where we're at and what the plan is in proceeding,” he added.
The information collected by the town from the open houses showed a majority of citizens either wanted the pocket parks developed as an active park with equipment or developed as a multi-purpose green space with no equipment. Only between four and 25 per cent of respondents at the open houses said they approved of the option to sell six pocket parks and green spaces for other town capital projects.
Following the Dec. 17 council meeting Mayor Annette Clews said council always takes public involvement into full consideration when making decisions.
“I'm very optimistic about the results that we received, it was nothing surprising. Council does recognize how important our parks system is to our community,” said Clews.
“I'm hoping that people will come and give input when we discuss the results of each specific park,” she added.
Coun. Cheri Funke said she feels positive about the results, adding Sundre citizens came out to have their voices heard and they will be listened to.
However, she said there were a couple of specific parks where she expected more people to say there was a need for more equipment.
“I don't think they said any of them should be sold,” said Funke. “Nobody wants to sell them, whether they're parks or green spaces because once you sell them they're gone.”
She said she is happy with her decision to join council last fall to fight for the retention of the parks and is pleased with the way the process is turning out.
“I haven't swayed and I won't sway,” she said, adding that she wants every citizen to feel they have had their say in the parks' future.
“Once it's out in the open that we're going to make decisions on things, that brings people out, because our biggest focus is communication with the community so that they know that they have a say but they have to come out to say it,” said Funke.
Dean Pickering, the town's chief administrative officer, said he had no expectations of the results from the open houses, adding it plays only a small part in a process towards a larger plan.
“There is also a much bigger project going on. The bigger project is the recreation master plan, which will be outlining everything for the whole town including parks, playgrounds and trails,” said Pickering.
Sundre citizens Val and George Taylor said in another letter that was included with the open house report to council that the contentious pocket parks should never be put up for sale.
“Obviously this issue was not properly attended to by council as it stirred up a hornets' nest. Get one or two of the concerned citizens to sit on the parks committee and take your time reaching a conclusion as you are now in an election year,” they said in the letter.
