By Vanessa Broadbent

Oliver Chronicle

There’s a new park planned for Fairview Road, but council wants to see a few design changes to the proposed plans before moving forward with the project.

The park will be on a strip of land between Fairview Road and the new Coast Hotel. However, the space is not level with the hotel foundation or the adjacent sidewalk – something that council is considering changing.

Council was presented with three design options at Tuesday’s meeting, but asked Town staff to draft additional options, which include filling in the area and raising its elevation.

Councillor Petra Veintimilla said that leaving the space as is doesn’t seem aesthetically pleasing.

“I just don’t see it being a used park if it’s down in a hole,” Councillor Dave Mattes added.

However, filling in the land will require removing four trees. The three proposed design options incorporated the existing landscaping and trees.

Veintimilla pointed out that council already approved removing trees to build the hotel.

“We just chopped down a whole bunch of trees right next door to it and didn’t even think twice about it, didn’t even talk about it,” she said.

She mentioned that the Town has a policy to replace each tree they remove.

Council also agreed that the park needs to cater to users of the adjacent hike and bike trail by including bike racks.

“We need bike racks no matter what,” said Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger.

As for the water feature options presented, Mayor Ron Hovanes voiced his favour for a fountain rather than a pond.

“If we’re creating a park that’s going to invite people and children to come and play, I don’t like the pond idea. I think a fountain brings life to a park, it’s a great idea.”

Ventimilla agreed, adding that she’d like to see seating surrounding the fountain to create a more welcoming atmosphere.

“If you give people a gathering space, somewhere to sit, they will do that,” she said.

She also suggested that staff consider including walking paths though the park.

“Otherwise you just have people trampling the grass and you’re not really giving them any direction.”