Print

E-mail

Text

Re: 'Councillor shocked at suggestion to sell park,' Letters, Nov. 21

I was curious about Grattan Park, since in all the time my son was using neighbourhood parks, this one never made it on the radar. My soon took me to see it and we happened to speak to one of its bordering residents. The park is an irregular-shaped donated backyard that is very narrow towards Grattan Street and fanning out slightly. It has in the middle a concrete remnant which could be turned into a stage or buried in a hill. An old swing is located presently at the back, certainly not up to standards. I am all for green spaces in the community, however, I think the public should go and review this idea and question the money being spent here. Investing $300,000 into this parkette is a ridiculous amount for the usage this tiny strip of land would ever receive, revamped or not.

The resident said "bad" things go on in there. It definitely would need to be well lit to prevent that and a new fence erected but the shape, size and the fact that it is so hidden from the road does not make it a well-placed neighbourhood park. The size is smaller than my backyard. Children cannot really run or play baseball, but there is room for a swing.

My child grew up using Elm Park and Swanek Park, both of which have had money invested to make these great neighbourhood parks. The Guardian should run a picture of this land strip and see if $300,000 or even less is something we could say at the end of the day was of value to the larger scope of the children in the community. I think we need to get a skating rink built. I bet everyone would come out.

Leya Matalas