A “meditation path” is one of several ideas being explored in Oliver’s Fairview/Gala parks plan, which council is moving forward on in the new year.
Photo contributed
Oliver Town council will soon seek request for proposals in the development of the Fairview/Gala park plan.
Last week it gave the thumbs up to move forward come January.
Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell outlined the two linear park proposals, estimated to cost $350,000, which is slated to come out of the Town’s parks acquisition reserve fund.
Goodsell said the Fairview park (the weed lot opposite the high school) would combine grass and xeriscaping, with benches, picnic tables and a graveled “meditation” path. The main pathway would be paved asphalt.
As you enter the park by foot, from the east, you experience more xeriscaping landscape with varieties of cactus and a dry cobblestone riverbed. As you walk westward, the landscape has mulch on elevated beds with various plants and two varieties of trees.
Prickly plantings will direct pedestrian traffic to stay on the pathways as much as possible. There will be one exit in and out of the “unique” meditation path.
Goodsell said the proposed Gala park north of School Avenue will be a little more challenging due to existing slopes.
A combination of ground covering will include pockets of xeriscaping and clumped vegetation that are climate tolerant.
Goodsell said the existing stairs will be refurbished to make them more visually aesthetic and safer.
“Staff attempted to keep most trees and shrubs to lower elevated areas of the park to minimize the disturbance of the existing views of residences on Gala Street,” Goodsell said.
He noted that staff have added asphalt curb, catch basin and drywell areas to remedy existing water drainage problems for residents on Okanagan Avenue.
Councillor Maureen Doerr said some residents are worried about the benches attracting loiterers or people hanging out in the neighbourhood. This concern was raised at a previous open house. Doerr suggested incorporating some lighting to deter this.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
