Dear Editor,
I had the opportunity to participate in the public presentation at the multiplex of the development plan for the Riders Ridge/Vistas Park.
This proposal outlines town’s administration vision on how to change this parcel of natural woodland and formalize it. This will require parking lots, childrens’ playgrounds and paved and gravel walking trails etc. to be install. The upshot of all this activity will result in one of the last, if not the last, natural treed parcels to be fundamentally eliminated in the municipality.
I am not against development, but in this situation, present users of this area might be disappointed. The children who built forts, play hide and seek, dog walkers, elimination of the homemade bike trails that young people, by the dozens, use to practise dirt trail riding and of course the general public that wish a quiet natural area to stroll or perhaps give the young a nature tour.
Other considerations, expense being one of them, as infrastructure cost and annual maintenance, are going to be significant at a time when borrowing for the new fire department quarters and arena/curling projects are being developed.
Administration has developed a few design concepts which they wish public input for the sake of final decision making. I would encourage all to view online, (sylvanlake.ca) the different conceptual plans presented and forward their thought to the feedback link provided and in addition, send to each member of council so they do not receive vetted information.
Council can direct administration to leave this area in a natural state or otherwise and incorporate that within the Land Use Bylaw if that is what people want.
Laverne Asselstine,
Sylvan Lake