Mapleton council has directed staff to gather public input on a short-list of three possible locations for a skate park here.
On Sept. 24, the Drayton Skatepark Committee presented council with a proposal for a $100,000 facility and a list of several possible locations, including a preferred location in Riverside Park.
At that meeting, council directed public works director Larry Lynch to investigate the best location for a permanent skate park to replace a make-shift facility located on a cul-de-sac in a west-end subdivision.
A committee consisting of two community members, two township staff members and two members of council was established and a site review process initiated.
At the Oct. 22 meeting, Lynch reported the group “brainstormed on all potential sites that were located on municipal property” and ranked potential sites based on an agreed-upon set of criteria.
“The key areas of consideration focused on issues of importance to be considered for rating of all sites and included economics, ease of construction (or limitations), desirable neighborhood location, safety, maintenance, impact on surrounding community and future-use potential,” Lynch explained.
“We identified seven potential locations based on community input and township property. We also decided that our process would be based on ranking sites by arithmetic analysis only, leaving an ultimate site selection to include community discussion.”
Under the ranking system the committee determined the three most suitable sites to be:
– adjacent to the batting cage in Drayton Kinsmen Park;
– PMD Arena parking lot;
– the lower level of the Drayton municipal parking lot.
“There is a lot of community interest on this issue and we want this to be a positive community initiative,” Lynch stated in his report. “We are looking for council’s direction to proceed with public engagement to further discuss the three short-listed locations.”
Lynch said while the committee feels the short-listed locations are the most suitable, “every one of these has issues with them, and they all have neighbourhood issues.”
Noting “there is some concern of noise,” councillor Jim Curry pointed out the Kinsmen Park location is the furthest of the three from residential areas.
Councillor Neil Driscoll wondered if the solution might be to simply put a permanent park where the homemade one is currently located.
“It is on municipal street. Is there any way that it could stay there?” he asked.
Lynch said that idea has been considered and, “at one point we thought that would be the easiest thing to do.” However, he said a number of nearby residents are not happy with the proximity of the existing facility to their homes.
“The neighbours said absolutely no, we don’t want this in the neighbourhood,” said Lynch.
Councillor Mike Downey pointed out most of those using the facility come from that part of town.
“The kids need a place to play, or skate,” said Driscoll.
However, Curry cautioned the municipality has not yet assumed full liability for the street the facility is located on.
“The problem is that nobody wants it in their backyard – and I understand that,” said Lynch. However, he added, “We’ve identified every single location in Drayton where you could put it – good, bad or indifferent.”
“NIMBY [Not In My Backyard],” quipped Downey.
Mayor Bruce Whale said, “It happens everywhere. That’s why sometimes these decisions fall back on us.”
Some councillors questioned the need for further public engagement, given the committee had already identified the most suitable options and the skate park committee was attempting to hit a Nov. 1 deadline to put in an application for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
However, Lynch stressed he felt further public consultation was important.
“Obviously this a very contentious issue, but a very passionate issue,” he said, noting he has an “entire binder full of letters” from local Grade 7 and 8 students supporting the proposal.
“We wish to engage the community,” he said.
CAO Patty Sinnamon said staff “will do everything they can” to move the Trillium application forward.
Council approved a resolution to receive Lynch’s report and directed staff to “proceed with public engagement on the three short-listed locations.”
Councillor Andy Knetsch, who lives near one of the sites on the short list, declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in deliberations.
