A longer version of this letter was sent to the District of 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 Mayor and council and copied to The Chief for publication.
Mayor and council,
I wish to convey to council the disappointment myself and my neighbours feel regarding Cameron Chalmer's decision to recommend a trail added into MacDonald Place.
Just because there is a bylaw policy that states we should try to make connecting trails throughout 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 does not mean that it is always a good idea in practice. The following are some examples of why I feel that the policy should not have been implemented for this particular trail:
MacDonald "Park" is merely a group of alders that has never been filled in because of the small parcel of land and the salmon-bearing stream. The whole park lies below the flood plain and is too small for a house development. So with a three new trail only half block away at the head of MacDonald Place and Dryden, and the bylaw is worded that its design is for better physical health, then why plunder a new trail over a salmon-bearing stream and not simply educate people to use the new trail created only a few years ago?
In a one-block stretch on Government, there are now the following connections for MacDonald Place residents:
Two new roads - Dryden and Judd (when completed soon)
One existing trail to Judd and Meadow
One new trail at the head of MacDonald Place exiting at the end of Dryden (bordering Government)
There are an additional two trails heading north off Dryden, within half block of MacDonald Place
The District of 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 Official Community Plan bylaw only has policies about trail connectivity - it is not a black and white written word, indicating there is some latitude for different judgements.
I suggest this is one situation where this latitude of judgement (and good government) could or should be taken. MacDonald Place development is over 15 years old and is a cul-de-sac community. People, like myself, purchased based on non-connectivity at the time. Cul-de-sacs are safer for children and help deter crime.
Take for example the new trail built on the west side of Braken Arms Development (only half block from MacDonald Place): since the path's creations on Dryden there has been graffiti, beer bottles littered everywhere, and pot paraphernalia found along this path in behind homes on MacDonald Place. Is there not also mention in the same Official Community Plan bylaw about safety and crime prevention?
What Brackendale needs are more sidewalks and street lights, neither trails nor parks will help with this concern, so why force them upon the residents? With council approving narrower roads in a community that is rich with bikers, children, and dog walkers we the residents need safety more than another place for teenagers to hang out and drink beer.
It seems it is too late and falling on deaf ears to have this decision overturned. (You may wish to reinstate that bylaw where the council gets a final review before approval. I'll vote for the candidate that presents that notion for next election). There's the old saying: If it sounds too good to be true, then it is. And this trail acceptance is a good example.
I will look forward to seeing how you make this trail wheelchair accessible and open for equestrian use as well. I hope the policy is worth the cost of ecology and community. I'm sure other residents of Brackendale would have many great ideas for a better use of their tax paying money.
Ian B. McIlwaine
Brackendale.
