Quarry Lake appears to be on the verge of becoming a catchall – some have even said dumping ground – for activities not accommodated in other parts of Canmore.
“Nowhere to put it? Try Quarry Lake.”
Already, the field on the dog park side regularly experiences paragliders jumping from Ha Ling Peak, people flying drones, people flying kites, children’s cycling workshops, bicycle parking during duathlon and triathlon events, ‘forest friends’ day camps, scent-tracking classes, cyclists (throughout the park, as well as accessing both the lowline and highline trails), in addition to families of walkers, hikers, joggers and, of course, dogs.
Already, the green space surrounding the lake (the non-dog section of QLNP) hosts thousands of people each year, enjoying swimming, sunbathing, reading, picnicking, kayaking, various children’s paddling devices, birthday parties, fly fishing, cast fishing, multiple weddings, scuba diving, emergency response training and many other activities.
How much is too much? When is overload reached – or are we already there?
What is next? A zipline? Boat rentals? Food trucks?
Nowhere is it written that Quarry Lake (Natural) Park is – or was intended to be – all things to all people. This proposed mountain biking skills park could well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
The increased parking, increased usage, increased noise, increased speed, increased interaction between humans and wildlife, increased interaction between non-cyclists and bikes, could very well be overwhelming for the park and push it well beyond its capacity, making it unenjoyable for many, if not everyone.
We cannot and should not allow Quarry Lake to become a dumping ground for human activity. We should insist that council help preserve QL’s peace, tranquility, and current uses, respecting the thousands of people for whom it is already a much-cherished park, part of their daily routine.
PS: Why has there been no consultation with current park users or with Canmore taxpayers in general?
Carla Cumming Sojonky,
Canmore
