Parksville council recently approved designation of some well-used green space as park land.
The green space next to 250 Craig St., close to the Parksville and Civic Technology Centre, is already used frequently by people in the community, according to Coun. Amit Gaur, who brought forward a resolution to formally designate the city-owned land as a park.
“I think it’s important that we preserve this piece of land for the current and the future residents of Parksville and especially the downtown core to enjoy," he said.
Gaur added that spending time in a park is important to a person's quality of life. As the cost of land continues go up, it makes sense to use land the city already owns and where people already enjoy spending time, he said.
“Perhaps a designation of certifying it as parks land, for ad infinitum and so forth, is a good idea at this particular point," said Mayor Doug O'Brien. "It is already well-used and well-accepted by our community.”
City staff don't anticipate any change to the area's service level, according to Blaine Russell, director of planning and building.
“It’s already maintained to a high standard, so that isn’t expected to change,” he added.
The motion was carried, with Coun. Adam Fras in opposition. Fras did not comment during the discussion.
The park's boundary has not yet been decided and there is no name yet, according to Deb Tardiff, manager of communications for the City of Parksville. A staff report will come to council in a few months.
