The group zeroing in on the redevelopment of a neglected park on McKay Street/Kootenay Avenue hosted a block party last week to hear from neighbourhood residents.
More than 100 people attended the Earth Day-event in the park’s overgrown baseball field, consisting of music, entertainment, activities for children, and free hot dogs and beverages.
The event was hosted by the McKay Street/Kootenay Avenue Park Redevelopment Project organizing committee, which includes representatives from the City of Prince Rupert, Kaien Anti-Poverty Society, Transition Prince Rupert, Salmonberry Trading Co. Society, Ministerial Society, Salvation Army and Baha’i Youth Leadership group.
The committee hosted the event to gather input from those residing in the area to hear what they’d like to see the park used for, asking residents to fill out a short survey, while also trying to recruit volunteers to help build and maintain the new park.
“We’re still in the survey phase of asking the community and nearby residents what kinds of things they would like to see on this field. Today is the last step of that,” said Ken Shaw of Transition Prince Rupert.
Earlier this month, Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain met with students from Pineridge Elementary School to hear their suggestions, with the Kaien Anti-Poverty Society (KAPS) asking neighbourhood residents utilizing its programs for their thoughts.
“Everybody that we’ve talked with are very happy with the idea that this place is going to get redeveloped. A lot of ideas and suggestions are coming out of the people that are attending today … We’re very happy with the turn-out,” said Colleen Hermanson of KAPS on April 22.
All of the feedback will be compiled into a report and used by a professional designer to plan the new layout of the park. Once complete, the design will be brought back for further feedback from the public.
“People are really excited,” said Shaw.
