A Williams Lake resident is hoping others will join her in standing up for the City’s parks as the City plans to hold a public open house to discuss the merits of selling five parkland properties.
Kim Code, has lived in Williams Lake for five years and says green space is important to the community.
“I understand that the Tot Park up on 12th Avenue is used to go from 12th to 11th. They do sled in that park, and it was used for the parents or grandparents to take their kids to that park when there was equipment there until it was pulled out.”
Code says believes the potential disposal of the parks is a very quick way for the city to gain funds when there are other ways.
“To say that those parks have not been used, I would say that they (City Council) haven’t been around these parks, that’s it’s just a quick way to get money to put into the other trails. It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul. I don’t think it’s the right way to do it.”
Code says she has started a petition online and will be walking around the neighborhood to let everyone know of the upcoming open house.
“It’s just very sad. This is one of the reasons we bought where we live, and I’m not the only house that’s affected. If I knew that this park was going to be sold, I wouldn’t have bought the house where I bought it.”
The City says the open house is the first step in a long process and that the sale of parkland is one that requires either an assent of the electors or an Alternative Approval Process.
Pursuant to the “Imagine Our Parks, 2020” Plan, the City is considering whether or not to proceed with selling the following five parkland properties:
1. Twelfth Avenue Tot Park;
2. Johnson Street Park;
3. Beauchamp Park;
4. Gibbon Street Park; and
5. Patrick Reid Park.
The open house runs Thursday, May 12th at City Hall from 6 pm until 8 pm.