PARKS

@ a glance

- Use land trust policies and agreements to preserve a diverse selection of natural and man-made environments.

- Increase off-leash park area while crafting a ground-up procedures manual encompassing the designation of trained, safe and certified animals for more specific enforcement policies and/or designate off-leash parks on a time scale basis.

- Expand regional trails with a primary focus on self-propelled transportation and additional consideration for recreation and nature-observation.

- Use unique urban and wildlife view points as criteria for park selection and zoning.

- Move or alter public greenspace only with full, long-term consultation from neighbours.

- Explore unique ways of integrating community arts and culture with public spaces to give fields, trails and playgrounds an original twist.

- Integrate community gardens with parks and public facilities.

- Push for the creation of wildlife 'bridges' between large federal, provincial and municipal parkland, and over or under obstructive roads.

- Educate the public about the importance of Gary Oak preservation and ensure better protection of Gary Oak trees.

What Shade of Green Shall We Be?

We are incredibly priveleged to have such a wide variety of undeveloped land at our fingertips, from some of the most impressive urban forests and wetlands in Canada to man-made green facilities that have hosted events on the international scale. It is vital that we recognize all these spaces for their own special benefits to our environment and our community, and that we differentiate between the different varieties of green space. For example, development that creates pre-designed parks from the ground up should be viewed as favorable, but perhaps not as much as development that manages to work around existing greenspaces. We should use European communities as an example of how we can preserve our environment and our heritage without falling behind in the race for modern amenities.

Dogs are Park Users Too (or could be)

There is no reason for dog owners to be as limited as they are in their selection of greenspaces. Using time restrictions, it would be easy and affordable for the city to allow pedestrians, athletes and/or families exclusive access to parks in daylight hours and then open them up to use by dog-owners later in the evening. This system would not only reduce conflict between park users, but would also discourage unintended and innapropriate uses for green space late at night. An alternative, more elaborate system for use by dog owners would be to draft a self-funding program that certified safe, social and well trained pets for exclusive off-leash access to certain environments at certain times, to be enforced by the by-law enforcement officers that deal with standard dog-licensing requirements.

Commuting through Beauty

The Galloping Goose trail and proposed expansions and sub-routes have generated a new level of enthusiasm for green transportation in Victoria. As we continue to grow these trails we have to be crystal clear about intentions and applications; too often we accept poor compromises between offering efficient transportation and beautiful trail space, resulting in conflicts between commuters and recreational users. It is possible to serve both audiences within a single space, but only with longer-term planning and more considerate design than we have seen in times past.

Asta La Vista

Nothing shows our citizens or visitors the diversity and culture of Victoria as much as a public viewpoint. These cooridors, hilltops and vistas should be consciously preserved through special zoning. 'Nuff said.

Has Anyone Seen my Park...?

People expect parks to be one of the few reliables in their lifetime; as their neighbours move, businesses change and buildings grow, their favorite swings and trees and picnic benches seem almost sacredly preserved and secretely valued by their communities, while new developments and services steal the limelight. That perception is too often interrupted by the harsh reality that municipal parks can be altered or simply destroyed with minimal notice and consultation. Neighbourhoods willing to take ownership of the legends, histories and problems a park will cary should be equally able to control its fate, and community consulation about public greenspaces should be more - not less- determinate than consultation regarding commercial re-zoning applications.

Parks Should be Customized

We can also encourage more public celebration and use of Victoria's parks by inviting our skilled artists and inventors to help build them, ensuring each is compatible with its own neighbourhood and shines with the same amazing dynamics of our wildlife.

Gardens are Green

Community gardens are rightfully encouraged by the City of Victoria, whether they be on privatet land, public boulevards or community centre rooftops. Parks are just one more place these vital providers of food, connectors of people, and educators of sustainable living belong.

Bridging the Green

Wildlife can only go so far without the colour green - literally. To encourage healthy breeding and the sustainability of Vancouver Island species we should do all within our power to bridge the parks in Victoria, over or under the concrete of our streets.

Who's this Gary Oak guy, again?

Gary Oaks are a defining element of our identity and history; we must go beyond protecting them by feeding their growth with better public education and attempts to expand their modern-day homes.