Leave it to the Grade 2s.
When Nelson city planners decide what to do with the old transfer station land in Railtown, they’re going to have thorough input from Mrs. Wheeler’s class at Hume Elementary.
The students welcomed the community into the gymnasium on Friday afternoon to showcase their ideas, which include a dog park, a concession stand and a wetlands nature walk.
To make their pitches more compelling, the students used dioramas and models to bring their ideas to life.
“The biggest thing that strikes me is these amazing students surveyed over 300 people, and came up with excellent ideas about what should happen on our waterfront,” Mayor Deb Kozak told the Star.
“There are some beautiful ideas here.”
She was so enthusiastic that she encouraged the kids to bring their ideas to a council meeting — if possible, bringing their projects along with them to show to city staff.
She praised the idea of establishing a new campground, and took note of the bone-shaped pool proposed for pets.
“I’m going to phone our planning department right now to let them know.”
To complete their projects, the students worked with retired Nelson city planner Dave Wahn, who gave them a rundown on how city planning and public consultation works. It was a collaboration with L.V. Rogers leadership students, led by Rachel Wang. Mrs. Hammerich’s Grade 3/4 class also contributing, writing persuasive essays on each group’s presentation.
The project will be the subject of a documentary financed by the Columbia Basin Trust that showcases best practices in teaching, and film crews were in attendance to see how the project went over with the public.
Kozak couldn’t have been more effusive.
“I think we can incorporate these ideas into our planning and take it out to the larger community. I’m so impressed with the depth of the projects, they’re fantastic.”
