Process to “re-imagine” Victoria Park was flawed, says reader

To the Editor:

The following is an open letter to Kincardine council:

I would like to comment on the process used for “re-imagining” Victoria Park.

Victoria Park has been in place for well over a century. It is an historical area of town that is “olde world” rather than modern. Looking at picture in the Bruce County Museum archives:
 

• The cannons and fountain have been in place for over a century
• There was a bandshell in the park in the early 1900s and the current bandshell was built in 1980 to replicate this
• The diagonal path through the park has always been there

I believe the process used to “re-imagine” the park was flawed for two main reasons. It did not give an option to “upgrade and maintain what is already in place” and the Kincardine Heritage Conservation District Plan of March, 2021, does not appear to have been considered in this process. (I am not sure if this plan was adopted by council as the document on-line says “draft.” However, it contains very important information that should be taken into account in order to maintain our heritage.)

Excerpts from Kincardine Heritage Conservation District Plan of March, 2021:
 

• Maintain and enhance the mature trees in Victoria Park
• The plan includes Victoria Park and mentions of value “the landscape of Victoria Park including pathways, fountain, mature trees, and monuments”
• When replacing lights, consider those similar in style and character to the heritage
• If a contributing building is approved for demolition, new development is to adhere to the Heritage Conservation District Plan policies and guidelines

Specific to Victoria Park:
 

• Retain the original layout and design of the grounds with respect to pathways, landscaped elements, structures, and built features
• The original spatial organization should be retained
• Retain and repair the existing historical features, such as fountains, monuments, and commemorative elements
• Retain and repair the existing historical features, such as archways, gazebos, and shelters within the park; if replacement or additional features required, designs should be of a suitable size and scale to the park and be of a design that complements the park landscape

In my view, we should follow the recommendations of the Kincardine Heritage Conservation District Plan of March, 2021. If the decision is not to follow the 2021 plan, then taxpayers should be given the option of voting on:
 

1. Keeping the current basic layout, make accessible what needs to be brought up to current standards, replace in kind what needs to be replaced
2. Going with a more modern design as proposed by the consultants

Municipal staff has the capability to do this.

Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
Dennis Flavell
46-year resident of Kincardine