The town has set two open house dates this month for the public to give its input into the long-term use of public lands, including Sundre's parks system.
The open houses will be held Wednesday, Nov. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Sundre Arena, and on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Sundre Community Centre.
Members of council and town staff will be in attendance to answer questions and collect feedback.
The open houses are being held in response to serious public concerns voiced last month of the town's intentions to offer the lots of five of its little-used ‘pocket' parks for sale. As well, the town expressed its intent to develop another for a future doctor's residence while one more, currently the soccer pitch, will be retained until an alternate location can be found.
The town currently has 14 parks including the soccer field and Greenwood Campground.
However, following a heated and emotional Oct. 15 regular council meeting, attended by more than two dozen concerned citizens, council backed down on a plan to move ahead with first reading on the plan and opted to proceed with an alternative motion to “revisit” the sale of the pocket parks and find an “amicable” solution.
Input from the open houses will feed into the process for the town's Recreation Master Plan, which is earmarked for the 2014 civic budget.
If any citizen wishes to provide input but is unable to attend the open houses he or she can contact Jacci Hager, manager of community services, at 403-638 4707 or at [email protected].
