Mapleton council has approved Kinsmen Park as the site of a future skate board facility in this village.
Council selected the location from a shortlist of three presented at the April 22 council meeting, even though 21 of 39 ballots cast at a public information session hosted by the Drayton Skatepark Committee favored a location in the lower half of the downtown municipal parking lot. Of the other voters, 12 favored the Kinsmen Park location and six the PMD Arena parking lot.
In a report to council at the April 22 meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon explained that although 21 people voted for the lower parking lot, “the committee has indicated that the first choice is actually the Drayton Kinsmen Park.”
She said many of the young people at the April 10 meeting told her and committee members they voted for the lower parking lot because the asphalt was already there.
“In reality, asphalt is a second choice in terms of the pad to place the various skateboard infrastructure on. A cement pad is the preferred choice,” said Sinnamon.
From a planning perspective, she noted, the downtown location is not suitable.
“This site is designated as core greenlands in the (Official Plan) and floodplain in the zoning bylaw,” said Sinnamon.
“While I do not anticipate any concerns from the GRCA, given the previous use as a lawn bowling green, (because of) the close proximity to downtown businesses and residences above those businesses, this site is not appropriate for this type of activity. The closest residence is less than 50 metres.”
The arena parking lot location, she noted, would create a number of different concerns.
“While this site is zoned appropriately, it does not allow for any landscaping features,” she stated. “Utilizing the corner of the parking lot would also reduce the number of parking spaces available for functions being held at the Sports complex. I would also have concern about the safety of young people skating among parked vehicles to get to the pad.”
Sinnamon said the Kinsmen Park location offers a number of advantages.
“Existing recreational uses (ball diamond, soccer field, fair grounds) would integrate well with the skate park,” she said. “The site would also allow for landscaping and benches. The distance to the nearest residence is 93 metres.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll, the only council member to attend the skate park public meeting, expressed concern about the site selection process and the lack of adults in attendance at the public meeting.
“I was very disappointed that people would just send their kids out to the meeting,” said Driscoll.
While stating he feels the skate park is “something that we need,” he said, “I’m having trouble with the process to pick the site. With all due respect, is there a better site that we missed?”
Councillor Jim Curry noted the short-listed locations were selected from a longer list of seven sites on municipal land.
“Basically what we’re looking at is these three options,” Curry explained.
Driscoll was also concerned the facility would decrease the already-limited parking available to support baseball and soccer fields at the park. He then questioned if skateboarders, many of whom are expected to come from the Drayton Heights subdivision at the southwest corner of the village, will actually use the facility.
“Are they going to walk all the way down to the old arena? They don’t walk to soccer. They don’t walk to baseball,” Driscoll said. “Are the same parents who wouldn’t bring their kids to that meeting going to give them a ride to the skate park?”
Mayor Bruce Whale said, “I don’t know where you’d ever find that perfect site. Unless you go back and start the town over again.”
A petition containing 11 signatures from residents of John, Wood and Elm streets, and Robin Drive in Drayton also raised objections to the Kinsmen Park location.
“Putting the skate park in a residential setting would create a great deal of upset, with noise, vandalism, music, graffiti etc., lasting through the entire spring, summer and fall seasons and we do not want this in our neighborhood,” the petition states. “We residents adjacent to the park feel that we already sacrifice enough of our peace and quiet for the good of the community.”
Two residents who live near the Kinsmen Park expressed concern about adding skateboarding to the ball and soccer games and other activities which already take place at the park.
“We already have a lot of activity in the park and we do not want any more,” said Penny Francis. “I don’t mind it (current activity), but I’m saying, isn’t that enough?”
Resident Brian Post expressed concerns about the safety of those using the park.
He pointed out there are no public telephones near the proposed facility, which could pose a problem in an emergency. Post also pointed out a skate park at that location might conflict with the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society’s annual tractor pull. Batted balls from the nearby baseball field could also present a risk, Post said.
Councillor Mike Downey said, “We’ve been going on and on and on with this since last spring, or before. You’ll never find a perfect spot. Make a decision and drive on.”
Sinnamon’s recommendation to approve the Kinsmen Park location was approved with Curry and Downey in favor and Driscoll opposed.
Councillor Andy Knetsch, who lives in the area of Kinsmen Park, declared a conflict if interest and did not participate in discussion or voting on the issue. However, when informed of the decision later in the meeting, he stated, “I want to go on record that I strongly disagree with that.”
Council also directed the CAO to prepare and submit an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to assist with funding for the skate park.
The estimated cost of the project is $100,000, with a concrete pad at $42,500 and ramp and rail structures at $35,000 representing the bulk of the cost.
To date, the committee has raised $4,845 and has gathered approximately $4,750 in pledges. Sinnamon said she is also confident the municipality will receive corporate sponsorship for the project.
She recommended a Trillium application for one half of the project, with the remaining half coming from donations and the municipality.
