A bigger goal ahead
I think it was a mistake that the Save Skaha Park Society that rose up in 2015 opposing the city/Trio agreement to limit its name and goal to that of saving Skaha Park.
A much bigger issue was at stake than waterslides on a green portion of the park. The real issue was that our City of Penticton was wrongly disposing precious park land, without seeking the approval of the electorate. It was the city’s disrespectful engaging their vision to capitalize on some more of our public park lands which they term as “empty, unused spaces,” to make them “more “vibrant,” more money-making places.
2015 was the time when people in all areas of this community could have united to save all of their public park lands and open green spaces. It was the time to take on the City of Penticton vigorously, both collectively and legally. It was the time to review the results of the 2002 referendum which should have saved, and dedicated several of Penticton parks. It was the time to bring our city back to seeking and respecting public approval, respecting the majority, respecting the precepts of democracy.
This city, and others, will keep advancing with their vision as long as they are allowed. No, our parks are not saved. There is no visible evidence that the City of Penticton is stopping, quite the opposite. Look at the buildings behind Cherry Lane, look at proposed building at Skaha Bluffs area, look at the lawn bowling greens. Are there others? Watch them disappear, as buildings and speedways appear in their place.
What does it take to save our park lands and green spaces and lakefront? Our environment? I believe it will take two things. More visible, audible public energy (more than just the city’s public processes) and legal action. Both of these were suspended since 2015, most people leaving it up to the directors of the society who have been at the table with the city and on parks committees for two and a half years. Despite their well intentioned efforts at the table, the SSPS directors confirm that ultimately the city will have the final say about the future use of park lands. Upper levels of government told us in 2015 “if we think that our local governing body has done something wrong, then we will have to take it up in the court system.”
Has “waiting until the next election” helped? What have we lost in the two and a half years of waiting? What more could we lose by waiting another year? How does the newly named SSPS to PPPS (Protect Penticton Parks Society) plan to save our parks?
Hannah Hyland
Penticton