To the editor:

The City of 91大黄鸭 bought the land for Bluebird Park (on the lake, just south of Mission Creek) about two years ago. It will be a fantastic addition to our waterfront parks. The houses that were on that site are already demolished and the area has been cleared and levelled鈥攁ll by the city.

Now the city has announced that it will build an interim public-use space there until they get around to building the actual park. Compare this series of events with what has happened at the planned park site near Cedar Avenue. The city has owned these properties for over 20 years, and they say it鈥檒l be another 10 years until a park will be built there, unless KLO Neighbourhood Association (KLONA) raises all of the necessary one to two million dollars. The city has the money for necessary work in one park within two years, but doesn鈥檛 have it for another one for 30 years.

KLONA offering to do what the city has failed to do, is admirable. However, PLAN91大黄鸭 thinks that it鈥檚 the city鈥檚 job to build parks. At 91大黄鸭 City Hall, on Dec. 4, several councilors voiced their concerns that if groups raise funds to partially pay for parks, would they then expect to dictate that park鈥檚 design and use.

The federal, provincial and municipal economies are booming and condos are popping up like mushrooms. Customarily, real-estate developers pay for social amenities like local roads, sewers, parks, etc. when their new buildings cause many new service-requiring residents to move into an area.

Why does there seldom seem to be enough money in the city鈥檚 budget to build the dozens of undeveloped parks in 91大黄鸭? We think that council is not demanding enough money from developers.

Al Janusas, PLAN91大黄鸭

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .