At the June 26 public open house on the proposed T’Souke Community Bike Park, two designs were presented for a proposed world class park in the NE wedge of John Phillips Memorial Park.
Some of the neighbours expressed concerns that the under-used park in their back yards would change to something they weren’t comfortable with. Their concerns were heard and noted. None of them was an insurmountable problem and the Sooke Bike Club looks forward to addressing them in subsequent designs for the park.
A bike course was included in the original 2006 plan for JPMP, and ever since many dedicated individuals and groups have been trying to make headway on getting it built. The unveiled plans have been designed to be very neighbor and family friendly. They consist of features that can be used by everyone, from tots to teens to more mature riders -- beginner to expert. The park will also have native landscaping, walking paths, picnic tables and benches for everyone to enjoy. This sliver of the park will be beautiful and it will be used.
Kids and families will have a playground in the centre of town, accessible by bike. We want our kids active, visible and safe. The bike park at JPMP will give us a central location, where kids will be seen and parents can join and play with them. It will be a location that will attract visitors to the park. The park will be accessible and free of charge to anyone, including school and recreation groups. JPMP is by far the best location for this community playground.
Anyone who goes past John Phillips on any day can see that it is spectacularly underutilized. Currently, it is not an attractive or natural park. It is a decommissioned golf course, living in limbo. We have the opportunity here to do something that will have a broad appeal and attract families and visitors to Sooke. Let’s stop stalling and start acting on behalf of youth and families in Sooke.
Christina Schlattner
Sooke