Dear Editor,
Re: “Bemused by city’s alcohol U-turn,” Letters, July 20.
Letter writer Brigitte Moore has captured the feelings of a lot of Richmond residents in her letter very well.
Allowing drinking of alcohol in any of Richmond’s parks should not be allowed. Parks are there for everybody to enjoy.
They are there for children to play, adults and older adults to walk around, jog, run and engage in other activities.
Parks go a long way in fulfilling our social, physical and emotional needs.
The three parks where drinking will be allowed - Garry Point, Aberdeen and King George - play a very important role in their respective communities.
Take for example, the King George Park. Before retiring from the board a couple of years ago, I was actively involved as a director, vice president and then as president of East Richmond Community Association (ERCA) for many years.
The ERCA Board, operating out of Cambie Community Centre, in co-operation with the City, has done a commendable job in making this park a gem of east Richmond.
It is a hub of activity year-round. Each section of the park, be it the playgrounds, the picnic area the gazebo, Gathering Place, the water park is usually full of enthusiastic children, youth, adults, older adults at all times.
There is no need to allow drinking of alcohol in this or any other park and dampen the kind of usage and enthusiasm we see in these parks.
I would like to urge Mayor Malcolm Brodie and councillors to reconsider their decision to allow drinking in Richmond parks, even on a trial basis.
Balwant Sanghera
Richmond
