While town officials and council members have been weathering the storm over the east side servicing issue they are now preparing for a challenge that has already proven to be just as controversial and emotional – the future of the community's parks system.
This week the town is hosting two open houses that will give the public the opportunity to give their input on how the community should be shaped in the future with its green spaces, including the contentious pocket parks which triggered public protest last month.
The first open house will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sundre Arena. Another one will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sundre Community Centre.
These open houses are being held in response to the public's opposition over the town's announced intention in October 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 a total of 14 parks including the soccer field and Greenwood Campground.
Sundre resident Ken Craig who spearheaded the public protest last month said he will “certainly” be at the open houses and encourages other citizens to go and voice their opinions as well.
“What seems interesting to me is the mayor and council seem to be alienating their constituents…I think an awful lot of people are angry about it and don't want to take it anymore,” said Craig.
“You would think they would want us to vote them in again.”
He said council is doing the same thing with the parks as they did with the east side servicing fee.
“The mayor should have done something about it, not just say sorry,” he said. “They are supposed to be representing us…They're working for us, we're not just here to do what they tell us to.”
Craig said people should be attracted to Sundre and see green when they drive through the town.
“Towns and cities are always screaming for more green space, not less. If they get away with this, we'll never get it back.”
Coun. Pat Toone said there were many people who didn't know about what was going on with the east side servicing fee which is why the town is having open houses for people to be aware of the plans for the parks system, and to voice their opinions.
“I think it's important to have public meetings so people know what we propose,” said Toone.
Mayor Annette Clews said the open houses have the potential to help the town figure out what parks in the community should be a priority to improve.
“At this point council's not making any decisions. We are engaging the community on how they feel about the parks,” said Clews.
Cheri Funke, council's newly acclaimed member, joined because she feels none of the pocket parks should be sold. She said there is a slim possibility that she could change her mind.
“They would have to be pretty good arguments, they would have to have legitimate reasons behind it…I don't think we should get rid of any of them,” said Funke.
“I think parks are important to a community, not just for the kids, but the seniors, for everyone. It's a way for us to get out and get some fresh air and exercise.”
Dean Pickering, the town's chief administrative officer, said there are 12 parks the town is looking at to fix up.
He said the open houses have been arranged “to get feedback on the whole parks system” as well as suggestions for how several parks could be improved.
“There's a couple of little tiny parks that we're looking to get community feedback on,” said Pickering.
“The goal is to collect information and data from the citizens, and feedback, and then to bring it back to council to give it feedback from council and then let the citizens know through the paper or through our newsletter what the feedback was.”
