The Lion’s Park Action Committee hopes that a festival for migrant workers will reap many rewards this summer.
If all goes according to plan, Lion’s Park will no longer be a place to fear in the summer time.
That’s what members of the Lion’s Park Action Committee are hoping as they continue brainstorming strategies to transform the popular green space into a haven for locals and visitors.
Last week’s meeting at Oliver Parks and Recreation touched on many ideas, including a festival targeting agricultural (migrant) workers.
Organizer Kathy Molloy envisions an open mic, non-alcoholic barbecue celebrating St. Jean Baptiste Day in June 24. A disc jockey will provide the music, and there may be an opportunity for artisans to sell their wares in the park. However, local fruit grower Greg Norton has suggested that the event cater to all agricultural workers who help with the harvest, not just those from Quebec.
Committee member Barb Seiler said it would be nice to get residents and pickers drumming together.
“It’s all about unity in the community, and drumming is a perfect vehicle for that,” she said.
Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan said the purpose of the celebration is to generate more respect and understanding of Oliver’s migrant population.
While Cpl. Mike Field from the Oliver RCMP supports this attempt, he said it might be a hard sell to get seniors and other residents to attend the festival.
Molloy said it will be a great time to get “eyes on the people” and food into the young workers’ stomachs, noting it’s hard to get drunk on hot dogs and hamburgers.
Molloy also believes the celebration will give these migrant workers more ownership, which will prompt them to be more respectful of the rules.
The action plan also includes distributing multi-lingual pamphlets in French and Spanish. These pamphlets will inform park visitors on the services available and the rules they are expected to follow. For example, leashing their dogs.
A new sign board is being proposed on the bathroom building, where workers can go to find out where the jobs are and view important messages.
Committee members would also like to see stories in the local media regarding bylaw enforcement, park vendors and visitors.
Sheridan said the problem is many people tend to paint all of the migrants with the same “negative” brush and seem to be targeting one nationality.
“We’re trying to change opinions,” she said.
Sheridan said Shyvano Joly from Loose Bay campground is trying to establish a social media (Facebook) presence to let visitors know what to expect in Oliver before they arrive this summer.
Sheridan said park staff have put out additional garbage receptacles in Lion’s Park and plan to collect the refuse more frequently.
Another idea in the action plan is to have health professionals conduct outreach visits in the park to talk to people about health and collect any needles that may be left behind.
Sheridan said they are still looking into providing WiFi access in Lion’s Park.
But one thing that will definitely be increased is bylaw enforcement.
Field said if you clearly communicate what the rules are in a respectful way, that respect should be returned.
The committee is still hoping to see a student ambassador in Lion’s Park this summer to help convey the rules.
Field talked about RCMP involvement, saying members will certainly respond to calls for assistance.
“We can’t promise routine patrols, but we’ll try to do our best (by encouraging members to patrol when they can).”
But what about after hours? Sheridan asked. Field said if there is an emergency, people should call 9-1-1.
One idea that was previously discussed was funding for regular/daily transportation between Loose Bay and Lion’s Park during the peak season. But there was no further discussion about this last week.
The issue of animal control is being addressed with a proposal (conceptual plan only) to establish an off-leash area for dogs (both large and small) at the north end of the park. One of the areas will include an agility run for canines and their owners.
The conceptual plan also calls for the removal of the basketball court, and a “natural” playground (with logs for climbing) at the south end.
Sheridan said this playground will be promoted as the family area of the park. The idea is the skatepark will act as a separation between this family area and the north end of the park where migrant workers congregate.
There was some discussion about the pavilion shelter, where some visitors tend to camp. Sheridan said no one seems to be telling these people that they can’t camp there. Her fear is it may be difficult to uproot the campers if too many start to pitch their tents in that area.
Field said the parking congestion in Lion’s Park has to be eliminated.
By Lyonel Doherty
