By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
GRAND LAKE - Tempers flared and emotions ran high during last week's meeting to discuss a conceptual redevelopment plan for Laurie Provincial Park in Grand Lake.
More than 150 people concerned about losing year-round day-use access to the park packed the Grand Lake Fire Hall on Jan. 14 to ask questions of provincial Department of Natural Resources officials who had organized the meetin
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It appears regular users of Laurie Park in Grand Lake aren't in danger of losing year round access to their park after all. A well-attended Jan. 14 meeting saw local residents and other users expressing concern about the possible loss of regular, year-round access of the park following an upgrade planned for this year. Many who attended the meeting were upset, believing that the conceptual plan for the park might squeeze them out. |
A handful expressed frustration at the approach, insisting they wanted to hear what others thought about the redevelopment concept plan. Many also asked whether the department already had their plans set in stone, and questioned whether their input would be taken seriously.
"We know you'll close the park so no one can get in during the months of July or August unless you're a camper," said one man. "You can't swim, picnic, walk, or do anything on a day basis, only go in if you pay for a campsite. We don't like that."
Officials agreed to the request to run the meeting differently and offered to conduct a short overview of the concept plan and take a few questions.
"It is primarily a camping park, not a locals-only park, and is part of a larger, broader network of our provincial park system," said provincial senior parks planner Trevor Franker.
He added that Laurie Park was classified as an outdoor recreation park and said it doesn't meet current outdoor recreation standards. Comfort stations with washroom services, an upgraded administration building and better parking are some of the upgrades being suggested.
The provincial Department of Natural Resources received $5 million in federal stimulus funding to upgrade a number of parks.
Laurie Park is one of those on the government's redevelopment list, and work must be completed by March of 2011.
"Whatever we do at the end of the day has to meet some conceivable standard and we have to address public safety issues," Franker said.
While participants seemed onboard with improved parking and washroom facilities, other aspects of the concept plan, including an outdoor amphitheatre and play apparatus for children, were met with head shaking by some regular users. Several indicated they didn't believe the rugged beauty of the 65-acre park needs such additions.
A concern expressed repeatedly by many longtime users of Laurie Park was that they fear losing free, year-round access to the park.
"The government may some day decide to charge a fee," Harold Carroll, director of parks and recreation with natural resources, said when asked if he could promise people would continue to enjoy free, year- round day access.
"As far as access to the park, whether it's free and easy to use for everyone will be an issue we'll have to deal with," Carroll said.
That didn't sit well with an already emotional crowd.
"There will be protests when more people know what's going on here. This is wrong!" said one man.
Mary Lou Whitehorne has regularly travelled to Laurie Park from her Lower Sackville home for 30 years. She described the park as a piece of heaven.
"The loss of the day use part of the park would be a tragedy," she said.
In an interview after the meeting, Whitehorne said she understands why government officials want to upgrade the trails. But she said losing year-round day access to the park would be devastating for those who love its rugged beauty.
"It's like swimming in colour at sunset during the summer, it takes your breath away. It's a beautiful place," she said. "I understand the reasons why they want to do upgrades, but if there's an overflow parking lot why not retain some of the day use? I think the main concern tonight was that day users are being shut out."
Wellington resident Janet Godsell and her husband have visited Laurie Park on an almost daily basis for 25 years. Godsell sat quietly in her seat following the meeting and described herself as devastated and grieving.
"I want to go home and just weep," she said.
Godsell said locals aren't the only ones who benefit from the beauty and tranquility of Laurie Park. She said sitting on the rocks at the park, she has met and chatted with people from all across HRM who regularly make the trek to the park.
"I can't be more devastated, and I can't say I'm optimistic. I'm in grief and I just hope it isn't a fait accompli," she said.
In an interview after a meeting described as "rancorous," Carroll stressed that their plan wasn't set in stone, but was simply a concept at this point. He promised to keep people updated via the Department of Natural Resources website, and assured them their concerns and comments will be taken seriously when a final plan is drafted.
The department hopes to hear from users by Jan. 22 through a questionnaire passed out at the meeting. They hope to start onsite work in the coming months. An active construction site means the park will be closed for the upcoming season.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
