Parkland sale and Enerdu…one of these things is just like the other!
When I first heard about the Enerdu project planned for our river, I thought “That’s not right!” It did not seem right that a precious natural resource which in many ways belonged to everyone and defined our town would be used as a commodity. So I have watched with dismay as the various arguments against Enerdu (negative economic impact on tourism/ heritage nature of the downtown, negative impact on the environment, no net increase in hydro generated) have fallen to another so-called principal: it might not seem right, but it is legal. It might not seem right, but it is happening.
Now, when I think about the issue with the sale of parkland in our community, I am struck by the similarity. It seems that a precious natural resource which “belongs” to everyone and defines our community (Almonte has more park acreage than others communities around us) should be used as a commodity. It’s not right.
I think the issue of parkland being sold has touched a nerve for a variety of reasons, but at its heart, the issue is a breach of trust (breaking a confidence or promise). In the case of Don Maynard Park, it seems rather obvious to me how the idea of selling a park named after an honoured member of the community is a breach of trust. But the same breach of trust applies to the case of Munro Meadows parks (which I am connected to) and to other parks in general. The policy/practice of having developers protect land within new developments for park use, describing those lots as “parks”, allowing those lots to increase in value, and then using them as a commodity seems like a rather obvious breach of trust to members of that neighborhood.
It also seems like a breach to the wider community because all of the arguments raised by the community about parks are essentially the same as the ones raised about Enerdu: don’t remove a defining natural resource forever by turning it into a commodity. If any town Council should be aware of these arguments for preserving our defining natural resources, it should be this Council who was elected in the midst of Enerdu issues.
Thankfully, in response to a huge outcry, Council is asking for input and feedback. I would urge other readers to not be cynical, and make use of this opportunity. Write to Council, speak to your councillors, put some faith in the people we’ve elected: they are asking for input.
Respectfully,
Steve Martin
