Editor:
Dear fellow Canmorites,Looks to me like our Municipal Reserve, Public Use (PD) zoned lands are on the table with Canmore town council for residential development.
At least that is what I take from their strong desire to push residential units into the Larch Park PD area (you may know it as the outdoor rink, or the old daycare site, or the original folk festival site or from some other public uses that have occurred there over time).
For me, it is what I use as my neighbourhood green space; quiet, beautiful, sometimes shared with elk, a hockey game, or just as a place to walk our dog (don’t worry I pick up and use compostable bags). Some things I think most people expect in a park when they live in a respectful, green loving, community-caring town.
Now I understand there is a concern and apparent strong desire to accommodate those that aren’t able to afford current housing costs here, like my kids, and raise funds for flood mitigation (isn’t that a provincial responsibility?), but in my opinion, we shouldn’t be using our community parks for this purpose. This should be a basic community principle, especially for Canmore and our deserved reputation for environmental sensitivity.
For information and to put it into perspective, please visit the Town of Canmore zoning map available on the Town website at http://www.canmore.ca. Look under maps, then Planning and Engineering, Land Use District Map.
Here you will see all the Municipal Reserve districts zoned for Public Use (PD) in town that might currently be at risk, or in the future, when more PAH and/or funds, are needed. Some very interesting areas indeed.
You might want to check those in your neighbourhood and ask the town if they are at risk because I’m pretty sure they have considered it. Let’s see, Lions Park, all that nice park along the river by the Bow bridge, Centennial Park, Millennium Park, the courthouse area, the hospital area, Elizabeth Rummel school grounds, etc, etc.
Anyway, you get my point. This is a community issue bigger than our Larch neighbourhood. You can help us by showing your displeasure to councillors and mayor as they consider turning Public Use Districts into housing.
Thanks for spending the time to read this and hopefully for your support going forward in a town that respects green space and Public usage.
Please keep our parks parks.
Kim Johnson and family,
Canmore
