Quote:
Originally Posted by Danijam
The weird thing about Nose Hill is that gatherings of any kind aren't encouraged or even allowed there (see Principle 7: http://fonhs.org/). This is a substantial area of the City dedicated to growing native grasses. I have nothing against native grasses, but I don't understand why such a large area that is central to a growing quadrant has been earmarked for grass preservation. We can preserve 1/2 of Nose Hill's grass and set up a protect-the-native-grass area that's even bigger anywhere else in Alberta. Why, when there are increasing demands for parks, picnic areas and general things to do in a burgeoning quadrent, is saving this amount of grass deemed more important than the needs of numerous communities' users? Maybe in the 1980s when Nose Hill was closer to the edge of the City and the Calgary population was less than half of what it is now, this was reasonable. But is it now? From a people-flow and even an environmental perspective, is it reasonable to expect people in the outermost northwest communities to drive to Riley or Edworthy parks to have a bit of family fun? |
As Nosehill Park was zoned as an Urban Reserve dedicated to preserving a natural grassland setting, the much needed facilities your mentioned should go in the rather large area set aside for everything other than indigenous grasslands. If there is no space left in these areas this was due to an incorrect allocation of the lands around the Urban Reserve. The way to correct this mistake would be the reallocation of these lands.
The mistake was not made in Nosehill and, as such, it should not have to make any sacrifices as part of the solution.