Fencing the entire Banff recreation ground area to mitigate wildlife conflict and maintenance issues is a recommendation of the draft redevelopment plan for the recreation grounds – but Parks Canada is not in favour of the proposal.
A draft document recommends the site be fenced, or, at a minimum, wildlife fencing be built around playgrounds, especially with swings, ropes and chains to prevent wildlife such as elk getting entangled.
The report indicated general feedback from the public supports wildlife fencing, especially in playgrounds, and initial discussions with Parks Canada seem to favour selective fencing as opposed to fencing the entire site.
Town of Banff officials say an environmental assessment would be required for several aspects of the redevelopment proposal for the recreation grounds, including fencing, for Parks Canada approval.
“The plan for the recreation grounds isn’t finalized yet so (we are) not sure if the fencing will be retained in some form or not,” said Diana Waltmann, the Town of Banff’s communications manager. “It’s still being discussed by the consultants and by other departments at the Town.”
Sheila Luey, Parks Canada’s land use and planning manager for Banff National Park, said Parks Canada would not support fencing of the site as a whole, noting fencing would affect wildlife movement.
“In a perfect world we don’t want to do that. We’re still in a national park and one of the benefits is people get to see wildlife in more of a natural environment rather than fenced,” she said.
“It’s part of their habitat too. We’ve enhanced the rec grounds with mowed lawns that go with soccer field and baseball diamonds, but there are judgment calls me to be made,” she added.
“The issue of fencing sporadically comes up. Should we fence the town, the golf course, but we’re really avoiding going there. It changes the character of the town and character of wildlife movement around town and how wildlife access habitat.”
Parks Canada is, however, open to selective fencing in various zones of the rec grounds.
“At this point, we’re in favour of using wildlife fencing selectively, around playgrounds, children’s nature adventure parks, around those areas to protect the users and wildlife,” said Luey.
“The benefits outweigh the detriment when fencing is used selectively around playgrounds where there are lots of ropes and things for antlered wildlife to get into, or a little kid to run up and surprise an elk. Those are the areas for the greatest potential conflict.”
Waltmann said some residents during consultation of the redevelopment plan for the rec grounds expressed a desire to use the playgrounds year-round; fencing was proposed as a way to protect wildlife from swings or other apparatus in which they could become entangled.
“As well, fencing could protect the trees, shrubs and turf from browsing. However, fencing can also impact views and the openness of the site,” she said. “It’s still being discussed before a final concept is brought to council.”
A report on redevelopment of the recreation grounds is expected to come before council on Jan. 26.
The draft plan for redevelopment of the rec grounds also calls for a fenced off-leash dog area, a seasonal ice rink, a permanent skateboard park, a toboggan hill and new children’s adventure and water playgrounds.
New and expanded picnic areas, a multi-purpose building with washrooms, concessions, storage and multi-purpose space, children’s bike terrain and skills area and a canoe landing on the Bow River are also under discussion.
The existing basketball court and two tennis courts will remain, and there is space for an additional greenhouse. It also notes a future pedestrian bridge across the Bow River from the rec grounds to Central Park.
There’s a planned upgrade to the rugby-soccer field to a regulation field size, with upgrades to irrigation. In addition, one of three ball diamonds – the east diamond – is to be removed to create room for other amenities on the site.
As part of the draft plan, it’s recommended the existing running track be removed and not replaced, because once the soccer-rugby field is expanded to regulation size, there won’t be enough room to include a running track.
Banff’s capital budget sets aside $100,000 for 2015, $400,000 for 2016, $500,000 for 2017 and $150,000 for 2018. The money is not yet specifically targeted, but is in place for design and when redevelopment occurs.
