Vernon's Polson Park could undergo ten million dollars in improvements over the next ten years. That's what a landscape architect is recommending in a redevelopment plan for the park to be presented to Vernon council on Monday. Catherine Berris says in her 64 page report, the first phase of three upgrades include a multi purpose pavilion and fitness equipment, removing the fence around the oval, and repairing the floral clock in 2010 and 11.Phase two (2012 to 2016) would include restoration of the duck ponds and channel, upgrading the washrooms, and rebuilding the water park, among other projects costing 4.6 million. The big ticket items in Phase 3 (2017-2020) include for Vernon Creek restoration north of the bridge for $1.6 million, a new road to a cul de sac ($154,950), and a new parking lot on the east side ($99,800). Berris is recommending vehicle access continue to be allowed in the park, but not with the current loop. The road on the west side would be extended into a cul de sac near the new pavilion and fitness equipment, allowing the southern part of the park to be free of public vehicles. City Planning and builidng manager Kim Flick tells KISS FM, says public response to the retaining the road or not, was 50-50. "There wasn't a clear direction on what the community wanted. What there was clear direction on though was a desire to keep and enhance access for those people with accessibility issues and particularly proximity to the duck pond. The cul de sac proposal provides several spaces designated for accessible parking only, and an area for drop-off, so this is a compromise that we hope will meet most people's needs."
Flick notes that part of the plan wouldn't be implemented until Phase 3, between 2017 and 2020.
Click HERE to view the report. (Pages 43 to 107)
2 comments:
rather see 10 million spent on policing and acquistion of waterfront and park land.
Will they finally put a monument up to Johnny Peters. With one arm this New Zealander literally transformed the park in 50's.
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