Community members in the Starlane Park area attended a city council meeting Monday to voice their concerns about the condition and future of the park.
"We have a number of concerned citizens in our area," said Bonnie White, an area resident.
"We love our community and we are very upset about the future of our park."
The removal of the play equipment at Starlane Park came after the city implemented the 2017 Playground Plan.
The plan includes the replacement and removal of several playgrounds which are deemed unsafe and no longer CSA compliant and plans are currently in the works to replace or remove them.
"One issue, we were told, was splinters. In 15 years, my children never had a splinter," White said.
But since the equipment was removed, community members are now asking that the basketball area and ice rink be regularly maintained especially in the winter months.
"We looked at the plan online but we wanted to do our part. We want our park to remain the same," White said.
And community members are willing to whatever it takes including fundraising and they have already been keeping up with regular maintenance of the basketball court and ice rink. But we want to be considered for replacement in 2021, said White.
"There are many children in the area from one to three years of age who will be of perfect age to use this equipment at that time."
The five-year plan includes the replacement of 25 of the city's playgrounds with CSA-compliant equipment.
The plan also includes the removal of 20 playgrounds with the locations remaining as parkland and greenspaces.
Since the Starlane Park equipment was removed, children are now asked to play at Prudente Park, a park which is quite a distance away and as a result, causing much concern for parents.
"The city has said this is the appropriate park for our kids to play in who are mostly 13 years and under," said community member Byron White.
"It was about 110 metres on average from a house in the Starlane area to the old park compared to the new park being 980 metres away. This is a difference of 880 metres. These are our concerns."
Residents are also worried about speeding vehicles on nearby roads traveling over 60 km per hour as well as the risk of bears at Prudente Park where bear tracks have been regularly spotted.
"The park strengthens our community," says White.
"It builds safety and social bonds. We are all invested in our neighbourhood."
City administration will review the recommendations as well as the possibility of any fundraising opportunities.
Coun. Terri McConnachie was inspired by all of the community members and children in attendance.
"I'm impressed by all of the community support," McConnachie said.
"This park definitely needs some work."
Coun. Garth Frizzell too was impressed by the amount of support.
"It's important to get the word out and talk about how much you love your community and that's definitely come out tonight."
