By Tyler Marr

Letter drives talk about vehicle traffic in Kinsmen Park

Jul 27, 2017 | 12:00 PM

A letter deeming the work at Kinsmen Park a ‘$1,453,000 Charade’ sparked questions about the recent upgrades during city council’s meeting Monday.

The letter’s concerns centred around the recent pathway upgrades to the park. It contained photos showing large water puddles on the sidewalks after rain and said some of the walkways were too narrow for the vehicle traffic, causing damage to the grass. It also questioned the professionalism of city work and the disturbance caused by some events at the park.

City administration said pathways are installed differently than sidewalks and are susceptible to low spots, though they were working to address that. They also admitted vehicle traffic on the narrow paths was an issue and they have recently upgraded the park’s maps to be more clear where traffic can go and which vehicles are allowed.

“There are designated vehicle routes that are going to be clearly communicated to the groups [renting the park]…including our own staff,” Jody Boulet, director of community services said.

Coun. Ted Zurakowski believed vehicles were going in and out for convenience and suggested perhaps city staff should be on site to help people move supplies from trailers during events. 

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“We just spent about $250,000…to me, I think, with that investment, we need to start thinking…maybe changing the culture a little bit at that facility. We will never have the lush green grass by allowing vehicle traffic the way we do,” he said, suggesting a golf cart shuttle option or other means of transporting people for events. 

Mayor Greg Dionne was disappointed with the letter, saying at no time “did that person say thank you.”

Over the weekend, Dionne said he took the letter to the park and talked to people he met. He said one couple told him they know when it rains there will be water in the park just like in their garden, and they come prepared. Others, he said, told him these were minor details and this is the best the park has looked in years.

“The biggest thing I was told by users of the park: Thank you,” he said, adding “we are not going to please everybody.”

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr