SUNDRE — The municipality has committed to providing support for a community memorial park that will come at no cost to taxpayers with minimal maintenance.
Council had previously requested a timeline on the project’s history, said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, who outlined that background during a meeting in June.
Development on the project, which had been included in past departmental reports to council, was initially slated to begin last year, said Nelson.
“This project was delayed due to rain, and is now coming forward this year,” she said.
“This land has a really interesting history,” she continued.
Betty and Ed Knott owned the property in the 1950s. When Ed died in 1958, Betty subsequently donated the parcel to the municipality for the enjoyment of the community.
“The condition was that the land could not be developed.”
In 1970, the municipality registered a restrictive covenant on the land, which decreed the property could only be used as a park, recreational space or school site.
“In 1990, the restricted covenant was removed by a judge’s order as it was deemed to be unenforceable,” she said.
Now designated as public service district, the land’s allowable permitted uses include but are not limited to: accessory building, cemetery, community recreation services, education services, government services general and retail, indoor recreation facility, natural habitat area, outdoor recreation facility, public parks, as well as parking non-accessory.
Discretionary uses include exhibition and convention services, extended medical treatment services, cultural exhibits, and tourist campsites.
“In the case of the memorial garden, this space will be used as a public park for the use and enjoyment of the community,” said Nelson.
“The intent is that taxpayers will not pay anything towards this park. It is entirely funded through donations in partnership with community groups and citizens,” she said, adding low maintenance requirements will mean a minimal upkeep cost.
Coun. Charlene Preston moved to provide continual support for the project.
Coun. Cheri Funke wondered whether people would in the future have an opportunity to add memorial items such as perhaps trees and benches.
“This is a public space, so for sure, other members of the public could certainly donate benches or trees, or whatever sort of thing would fit in this area, in memory of their loved ones,” said Nelson.
Coun. Rob Wolfe followed up to ask if such additions would first require council’s approval.
“We would certainly like to have input into that, definitely, as it is a public space. So certainly, if anyone was interested, we would love to hear from them,” said Nelson.
With regards to the fact taxpayer dollars will not be directly funding the project, Funke said such information should be highlighted to reduce confusion as well as to avoid social media speculation.
“As much as I appreciate some of the discussion that goes on in social media, public policy gets driven by the formal processes that we have, like this council meeting,” said Mayor Terry Leslie.
Plenty of information about projects and initiatives is available on the town’s official website, and anyone with concerns or suggestions is welcome to present their thoughts before the municipality by way of contacting council members or the town office, said Leslie.
“I caution all of us to react to things that are happening on social media, because it is certainly informative, but social media — I don’t believe — drives public policy,” he said.
Preston’s motion carried unanimously.