Lion’s Park is one green space slated for enhancement in the Park Improvement Plan.
When Oliver’s new Park Improvement Plan comes to fruition, residents and visitors will see welcome enhancements to their favourite green spaces, such as Lion’s Park and Rotary Beach.
Members of the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society are currently reviewing a consultant’s draft plan that features many ideas and suggestions on how to improve local parks.
The five to 10-year plan looks at everything from improved water usage to new amenities, such as an off-leash dog area in Lion’s Park.
Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan is excited about the possibilities.
“We have these beautiful green spaces, but they are not as welcome as they could be . . . we want to bring visitors and locals back to Lion’s Park in a positive way.”
The draft plan suggests bathroom upgrades in all parks, with murals painted on the walls, and “green roofs,” which Sheridan finds intriguing. The roofs could accommodate flowers or plants, or even goats. “I’d love to see a team of goats,” Sheridan laughed.
The plan also calls for reduced irrigation and mowing.
A new off-leash dog area is proposed for the north end of Lion’s Park, which would create a “safety” buffer between park-goers and dog owners, Sheridan said.
She noted the consultants thought the existing off-leash area in the ball diamonds was not adequate. They suggest that this off-leash park be moved north of the tennis courts.
The plan also calls for playground surfacing changed from pea gravel to fibar.
Park signage would also be more consistent in terms of hours of operation, etc.
The consultant suggests installing cigarette urns in problem areas, and revising the bylaw to prohibit smoking near playgrounds and food vendors.
Lion’s Park
The plan calls for improved design and maintenance to attract more people to the park, an idea that Sheridan supports wholeheartedly.
Another idea is to solicit more food vendors to increase park use and “eyes on the street.” Even a new “park charter” was suggested by working with park visitors and regulars to establish a set of rules to govern behaviour so that locals and tourists are “not scared away.”
The draft plan suggests expanding the skate park and constructing a new nature-based play structure.
Sheridan said the existing playground structure in Lion’s Park is not well utilized, so the idea is to offer something more “multi-generational.”
Sheridan said the behaviour problem of some Lion’s Park users is a bylaw enforcement issue. She acknowledged the concern that some residents have with transient fruit pickers, but said the park is for everyone, and the town must be careful that it isn’t labeled an “unfriendly place.”
Sheridan said most of the people creating trouble in Lion’s Park are intoxicated locals, not seasonal workers who get “zero services” while they are here during the summer.
She stated that some of the behaviour carried out by locals is disgusting.
“There are lots of things in the plan that will hopefully address these concerns.”
Oliver Community Park
The draft plan calls for upgrades to the ball diamonds (upgrade shale, extending dugouts, adding roofs, and installing new bleachers).
Besides moving the off-leash dog area to the north of the tennis courts, it is also suggested that more seating be developed in the park.
Rotary Beach
The plan deals with several issues, including the problem of geese and park accessibility.
One suggestion is creating a natural barrier (for geese) between the water’s edge and the grass. Motion sprinklers and dummy birds are also being considered, along with the continuation of egg addling.
The plan also calls for more benches and tables, and wheelchair accessible ramps.
Sheridan said there has been talk of adding a water slide and a paddling centre.
“I would love to have a teaching dock to teach canoeing and kayaking.”
The parks manager would also like to see something done to address the parking congestion issue, such as developing parking near Tuc-el-Nuit school.
Kinsmen Splash Park
The proposal is to pave the parking lot, upgrade the washrooms with power, and improve the entranceway.
Shiela Lange, chair of the society, said she’s personally excited about opening up Lion’s Park to more users. She likes the idea of the off-leash park, which would make the middle of Lion’s Park more family friendly.
Lange is also looking forward to enhancing Rotary Beach in order to attract a more diverse user group.
But she’s not convinced about having goats on the roof.
Lange acknowledged that it’s great to have good ideas, but they cost money, which will result in some restrictions in the plan.
Sheridan said the board will look at the cost implications of the consultant’s suggestions, noting they want to ensure the plan won’t be a drain on taxpayers.
In the meantime, residents who haven’t done so can give the society their feedback via survey (available at the recreation office).
By Lyonel Doherty
