Proposed changes to McAdam, Rotary Parks horrifying

I have walked Rotary Park for 20 years as have so many others.

Proposed changes to McAdam, Rotary Parks horrifying

Proposed changes to McAdam, Rotary Parks horrifying

I am horrified by a booklet that describes changes within McAdam Park as referred to by the Corporate Services coordinator, City of Duncan, as the “master plan”.

The vast bulk of these changes actually take place and replace most of what is correctly and commonly known as Rotary Park.

The “master plan” changes include a petting zoo, a nine hole disc golf course, campsites, tree houses, three new tennis courts, caretaker’s housing, and fenced doggy areas. The list goes on, proposing a staggering mini Disneyland of ideas.

I have walked Rotary Park for 20 years as have so many others. Generations of children have learned to swim there in a calm, shallow bay of the Cowichen River while parents join them or watch from the sandy shore.

Mothers pushing strollers jog along the top of the dike, while laughing youngsters run or roll down its steep sides.

People of all ages and abilities walk the park from daylight until near dark. New friendships are made and old ones rekindled in the quiet peace of nature. Furtive rabbits poke their noses out from the bushes, squirrels chatter, eagles circle above, ducks feed from riverside natural pools, flocks of unnamed tiny bush birds rise up startled but nonetheless singing and the herons watch sternly from the highest tree limbs.

I have always been grateful and often amazed that Mother Nature allowed me to be any part of her world within our city.

I do believe a few alterations to make it totally accessible to scooters, wheel chairs, walkers or any form of disability would be a positive improvement. This natural gem in the City of Duncan should be available to all.

I’ve heard many fans of the park suggest the addition of lower level seating to allow views of the river.

I am absolutely sure that placing the natural areas of the park in the minority of land usage, as is proposed, would be a travesty. Once these changes are made the natural beauty of Rotary Park, as hundreds of us have known, and the haven it’s provided for wildlife, will be irretrievable gone forever.

More information is available at placespeak.com/McAdam

If you are also concerned contact your Mayor and Council at Duncan@duncan.ca

Glenda Kirk

Duncan

Cowichan Valley Citizen