Pitt Meadows has scrapped plans for a garden in Osprey Village to memorialize loved ones and commemorate the city’s centennial after the project was resoundingly rejected by neighbours.
At a committee meeting Tuesday, council directed staff to find another location for the park.
“It’s sad,” said Mayor Deb Walters, adding she would have liked to see the commemorative feature and public art in Osprey Village.
“The vocal people spoke out loud and clear against it. That won’t be going ahead, but we’ll find another location.”
Several residents considered the proposed park an unnecessary taxpayer expense, but also worried that vandals and vagrants would find the location attractive.
Coun. Tracy Miyashita believes people were confused by the term “memorial” garden.
“People think it’s like a cemetery and that’s not it,” she said, adding she enjoys spending time reflecting by the Fraser River in Osprey Village.
“You could buy a plaque for an anniversary or a loved one. I think it would have really enhanced the area.”
Council has proposed relocating the garden to Airport Way and Bonson Road, a location that’s already slated for another park project.
The project was expected to cost $130,000, with $65,000 coming from the city and the rest in grants.
The memorial garden was designed to be 7.5 metres in diameter and around 10.5 metres in length, and feature 10-centimetre by 10-centimetre granite markers engraved with a name and date.
The conceptual design for the garden included a space for public art and parks staff said it could also feature “poetry or uplifting sentiments or, perhaps a medallion or artwork” within the plaza area.