Editor:
Some time (awhile) ago, one of my daughter’s favourite outdoors spaces was converted into a parking lot. Near to 10th and Queen's there existed a delightful little public park that was appropriate for children under five years of age. When the adjacent school was repurposed into a middle school, that park was paved over and turned into parking. With that, there was no public park within a 30-minute walking distance for all children living near 10th and Queens in Brow of the Hill.
We adapted as a family and moved our play into Simcoe Park. Often the upper field was occupied by weekend sports, like soccer matches, or weekday activities related to the school, and so the Simcoe field was the only nearby park within walking distance for my toddlers. It was turned into a dog park.
And so we rejoiced when it was announced that Brow of the Hill was going to get an additional park. What we got was a swinging bench chained to the ground in an otherwise undeveloped lot.
Of course, we ventured farther afield. We loved Westminster Pier Park until it was burned down. We loved what remained, until the toddler playset was burned down. At least the new park on the esplanade hasn't yet been a victim of arson. Here's hoping the new pier park lasts a year or two before someone burns it down, too. They may be a 45-minute walk away for my three- and six-year-old girls, but they're the best parks we've got nearby.
Yes, there's Queen's Park. The tower playground with its wonderful slides has been cut down by the city. The petting zoo has been shut down forever, ostensibly to give space to an adult art and theatre space.
Yes, there's Moody Park. It's incredibly crowded during peak playtimes due to the demand and absence of adequate park facilities.
Can this city please stop overlooking children? Can this city please stop removing child spaces and diminishing the importance of child experiences? Can the adults in this city please stop destroying the few child-friendly spaces that exist?
Dan Leslie, New Westminster
