This letter is in regard to Councillor Peter Frew’s comments made during the Council meeting of Dec. 8 in response to my letter to Council concerning the pump-jump track in Kovach Park. (Please go here: https://legacy.revelstokecurrent.com//2009/12/14/a-pump-jump-track-addition-to-kovach-park-may-not-be-wanted to read the news story)
Kovach Park is located on property graciously donated to the City by the Kovach family — a long-standing past Revelstoke family.
Councillor Frew stated that there is no difference between a bike track and a set of swings being placed in the park. I beg to differ with you, Councillor. To my knowledge is doesn’t take a motion in Council to place a set of swings in the park nor do the swings enter into a maintenance/liability-type agreement with the City.
The City has many agreements with various societies and organizations on City-owned properties but as this pending agreement will be within an existing, established neighbourhood park, to my understanding it’s a first.
The process by which this has been handled, as stated in my previous letter to Council, dated Dec. 3, is flawed as there was no contact made with adjacent property owners and neighbours as to their input on this project.
A neighbourhood park filled with well-intentioned projects can soon resemble a Wal-Mart parking lot on a busy Saturday afternoon. Kovach Park is valued because of its blend of enhancements and open space. I feel that the community needs to play significant role in determining future changes made to it.
I would like to thank Councillors Welock and Johnston for the motion to request a report to Council from the Public Works manager in regard to this issue.
I look forward to hearing the results of this report and the position Council will take on this matter.
A Kovach Park neighbout.
Bob Melnyk
Revelstoke, BC
