Members of the North College Park Support Group wanted their voices heard.
At a Prince George city council meeting on Monday, council chambers were filled with hopeful members of the College Heights community who launched a campaign against further development and disruption in North College Park.
"The park is the heart of the community," said Miles Hogan, a member of the park support group.
Hogan chose to live in his neighborhood after considering various locations for his family and it was the park that drew him to the area.
"My son and his six-year-old friend have spent more time exploring that forest than the trails," Hogan said.
"The park is the heart of the community."
In May 2015, heavy equipment arrived and since then, 12,000 square feet of wooded area has been cleared.
According to the North College Park Support Group, the contractor would not comment on who the developer was.
The park is now filled with test pits, knocked down trees, debris and severe ground disturbance.
In November, an open house proposed by Marnie Holdings was held advising community members of a housing development, requiring a portion of the park.
As there was no formal application on behalf of the city to develop the park, the North College Support Group decided to proceed with their opposition and requested a higher level of protection of the park.
Community members went door-to door and the group's petition drew over 1,000 signatures.
"These signatures are from people who care about this park," Hogan said.
"This is from an overwhelming will for the park to remain a park."
The support group requested that mayor and council apply for dedicated parks status to all land in North College Park under Section 30 of the Community Charter.
This would be a first for Prince George as Section 30 has never been implemented in the past.
"Section 30 is a tool to be used in several communities in dedicating their parks," said Barbara Old from the park support group.
"This contributes to our quality of life."
Faces filled with surprise and disappointment left city hall chambers as council decided against the proposal.
A move to naturally restore the forested area is in the works.
