Dear Editor,
[RE: Park should not have been repurposed, Jan. 17, The News]
In response to letter writer Marcia Anderson:
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding the recent redevelopment of Bonson Park into a disc golf course. We appreciate the opportunity to address your feedback and provide some context about the project.
A disc golf course was something identified by the public during the parks, recreation, and culture masterplan process via public surveys and open houses.
Bonson Park was identified as a suitable location due to the space available, topography for the course, and that other than during the winter for tobogganing and some dog training classes, a section of the park has been underutilized.
In August 2022, the city hosted a pop-up disc golf event at the park to gather community insights on the potential popularity of this addition. The event saw over 135 participants, and we received 30 emails in support.
Several neighbours also expressed their happiness about the new activities happening in the park. Additionally, we posted online to gather further feedback, and the plan was presented during the 2022 business planning process to ensure transparency and seek council approval.
The project was executed with minimal cost to taxpayers. The soil was donated, construction work was done pro bono, grass seed was donated, and tee boxes were built by a local volunteer. We aimed to enhance the park while being fiscally responsible.
We understand that this change has impacted some of the traditional uses of the park.
Please know that we value the park as a cherished space for the community and are committed to balancing new recreational opportunities with maintaining areas for family activities.
Land being a premium, we designed the course to suit the space. The design also took into consideration the pathways within the park and neighbouring properties, the course itself will be contained within the bowl area between the pathways and the sidewalk along Bonson Road.
It was designed to not impede other activities within the park.
We acknowledge the concerns about picnic areas and older infrastructure like benches and swings. These issues are important, and we will take them into consideration for future planning and improvements.
We assure you that there was consultation throughout the planning and redevelopment process. Our intent has always been to enhance the park's value by diversifying the activities available.
The park has not been diminished in any way; in fact, we believe it has been improved to offer more recreational opportunities for everyone in the community.
Thank you again for your feedback. We are committed to working together to make our park a welcoming space for everyone.
Andy Messner, parks manager for City of Pitt Meadows
