On June 26, in the Sooke Community Hall, at 6:30 p.m., Sooke council will hold an Open House, on the subject of the bike skills park proposed for John Philips Memorial Park.
Many of us remember the fight to save the golf course, all those years ago, and although we lost that battle to development, we did gain a significant portion of the golf course dedicated as park. The public hearing for that issue drew over two hundred Sooke residents, and those same folks need to gather once again to preserve that park.
The discussion will center on the bike park, youth, and all the familiar themes. However, the issue in this case is the park, and whether we carve it up, fence off areas for special interest groups, and lose forever the opportunity for a central park, where all are welcome, and all are equal.
Look around our town. There will not be another property such as this, to which each of us has title. There are other venues for bike parks, horseshoes, dog parks, and all other worthwhile activities. This is about John Phillips Park, and its place in our future.
Please come out on the 26. Speak up! Protect our park.
Gail Hall
Sooke