The Garden City Lands park plan has hit a temporary delay after councillors turned away an $880,000 initial design proposal negotiated by parks manager Mike Redpath.
Richmondites should soon expect a perimeter walking trail around the 55-hectare plot next year, however Coun. Harold Steves said the proposal to design the trail and other park features was premature granted city planners had not adequately consulted with stakeholders such as Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Garden City Conservation Society.
Steves, who has led most of the discussion at committee tables vis-à-vis the park’s planning process, wants more of the land to be farmed and would like to see the “community hub” footprint reduced.
The hub is to include a parking lot, a barn and other structures to accommodate community farmers and, perhaps, a local food market. A major concern for conservationists has been the land’s hydrology. Steves noted the land needs proper drainage to help foster the bog’s growth.
Last week, Redpath had recommended a $880,000 contract for the park’s design to PWL Partnership Landcape Architects Inc.
The city has budgeted $7.35 million on the park to 2019.
Roughly half of the park will remain a bog with recreational and educational boardwalks meandering throughout.
Redpath said his department has tentatively endorsed allowing Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s agriculture program to use roughly one quarter of the park for educational farming purposes. The park will also include fields (not for sports) and walking paths.
