By Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle

Plans are in motion to establish a brand new park in Oliver.

Town council will discuss three design options this Tuesday as part of its committee of the whole meeting.

The park is destined for a strip of land between Fairview Road and the new hotel site.

The proposal would complete having parkland at all four corners of the bridge on Fairview Road.

It is noted that much of the capital costs would be covered by development cost charges from hotel’s construction.

Council budgeted $5,000 last year to start planning.

Option A ($60,500) will incorporate existing dry landscaping and trees, with new plants, irrigation and turf.

Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell said this design has the least amount of changes to the existing landscape, but “makes it feel like more of a park than it currently is.”

He noted this option doesn’t incorporate any new features and could be handled by the Town’s in-house labour force. It would also have the lowest maintenance costs, he pointed out.

Option B features a small fountain within paving stones. (Photo contributed)

Option B ($126,000) would feature a small fountain within paving stones (representing mind, body and spirit). Goodsell said cast iron fountains can range in price from $1,000 to $50,000.

The option would also feature landscaping changes, such as a bank along the existing sidewalk. Vegetation changes, benches and picnic tables are also proposed.

Option C ($160,500) would go a step further by incorporating a pond with a small waterfall feature. It would include a paving stone or shale pathway leading to the new hotel site and hike and bike trail.

Goodsell said option A could start in June and take four weeks to complete, while option B and C would need to be tendered.

Parks and Recreation Manager Carol Sheridan said she is thrilled to see any additional outdoor space with public access that people can use to connect with nature.

“I’m excited to see it when it’s finished,” she noted.

Sheridan anticipates people wandering off the sidewalk and going through the new park if there are plants and water features to look at and places to sit down and enjoy the scenery.

“The placement right next to the hike and bike trail/river is ideal,” she pointed out.

Option C includes a pond with a small water feature. (Photo contributed)