In this article, Mount Pleasant resident Doug Leung correctly points out that the "Skate Spot" was the least preferred option out of 15 options presented to the public in two open houses in 2010, with only 18 per cent support. Leung points to a splash park as being one of the preferred options. In fact, the splash park received 38 per cent support, while the outdoor swimming pool was the most preferred option, receiving 83 per cent support at the open houses.
After having completed extensive public consultation in 2009 where 88 per cent of participants preferred a replacement pool over retaining the old pool/building or no pool at all, residents were incensed that a spray park would even be suggested as a feature for this park at the open houses. Many people felt that including a spray park as one of the options was another attempt by park board to eliminate the possibility of a future outdoor swimming pool, and so they rejected the spray park option.
It is also interesting to note that "edible landscaping," which received only 21 per cent support, is the first feature of the park to have been completed, and the park is open for gardening. In fact, almost every feature of the park except for the one most preferred by the vast majority of people, the outdoor pool, is being built.
Margery Duda, Vancouver Society for Promotion of Outdoor Pools
Occupy should end, regroup every September
