Park Area 2 was voted on by council to be the location of the project. (Town of La Ronge)

By Derek Cornet

development

La Ronge council chooses location of ParticiPARKS project

Jan 17, 2023 | 2:53 PM

The site of a new ParticiPARKS project in La Ronge has been chosen.

During a regular council meeting last week, a motion was passed to designate a piece of land in the Robertson Drive subdivision as the location of the project. Council was presented with three options and decided to go with the administration’s recommendation of Park Area 2.

The only issue that arose during the meeting was an idea from Coun. Matthew Klassen to instead utilize empty lots along Robertson Drive that may not be suitable for building.

“Has it been thought about at all about maybe using some of those lots as a park area instead?” he asked. “There is a large outcrop of bedrock consuming a majority of those parcels of land.”

That concern, however, wasn’t shared by fellow councillors. Coun. Abby Besharah explained while there may be unbuildable lots in the subdivision, she doesn’t see them as mutually exclusive.

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“Those can become mini parks or just green space,” she said. “This is kind of a neighbourhood that is built in a way that offers maybe a little bit more opportunity for those nice little nesty green spaces, and I don’t think it is necessarily a loss to not consider those at the moment.”

Besharah also noted the ParticiPARKS project will require a large amount of land as it will be heavily developed and be a place of activity.

The town has identified $130,000 in the 2023 capital budget for development of a new park, which could be made available if council approves proceeding with the park concept developed.

According to stakeholder relations manager Ken Zolotar, a particiPARK leverages and exists within the natural environment, like a trail, park, or field, and provides free and accessible designated stations that encourage physical activity in nature.

He explained the physical activity stations are accompanied by instructions, including adaptations, so everyone can participate. The vision for each ParticiPARK is to become an animated, community hub for physical activity in nature for all ages and abilities.

Zolotar noted he is currently in the process of organizing a committee that will establish local connections and expertise to guide the design of the ParticiPARK. Those on the committee will review project and outreach materials, meet three to four times for one to two hours starting in late January or early February ending in July 2023, as well as prepare and participate in an engagement event activity in La Ronge in June.

An honorarium will be provided by ParticipACTION and the amount is to be determined upon selection of the committee. Those interested can contact Zolotar at kzolotar@participACTION.com or 1-416-644-0498.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno