Residents of one of Castlegar’s newer neighbourhoods are hoping to create a park and playground.
Stephen Hill appeared before city council this week to pitch the idea. He explained that he and his wife moved to Grandview Heights from Rossland eight years ago.
The idea of a park came out of a conversation he had with a neighbour. “We were kibitzing over the fence about the kids running and playing in the street and how the street’s getting busy and how we need a place for them to be safe and secure,” Hill said.
While the neighbourhood was originally intended as a seniors haven, Hill said there has been “tremendous growth” in recent years, and they counted 22 kids getting on the school bus this week.
They have already had discussions with city staff and identified four potential sites. The top two options are privately owned, but they hope the city might be able to work out a land swap. Their No. 1 choice is just above the city works yard. Their No. 2 choice is closer to Emerald Green, which would have the benefit of serving both neighbourhoods.
Hill presented council with a petition of 81 signatures and a letter of support on behalf of 47 members in the Grandview strata. “No one says no to having a park and playground,” Hill said. “It sells well.”
Hill added that Marwest has already offered to do landscaping and skidding, and should the park become a reality, they would consider naming it after the late Bruce Cassidy, who worked for Marwest.
Hill said Castlegar Rotary members may be interested in participating as well, once land has been secured. While the Grandview Heights master plan called for a park, the plan is no longer in active development.
Council supported the idea of a park but asked Hill to put his requests in writing.
Hill said they haven’t thought too deeply about what the park might look like, because it depends on what land they’re able to obtain.
“We’re not asking for a $1 million park,” he said. “We’re asking for a piece of dirt that we can develop over time.”
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