As a resident of Rosemont, I am happy that Art Gibbon Memorial Park is receiving some attention and, with construction underway, the skatepark finally has a home.
Prior to the announcement of the skatepark’s location I experienced a horrifying moment on the Vancouver Street corner (you know the one — the big round corner heading up to Rosemont on the bus route). As I was coming around in my car, a skateboarder was travelling toward me down the hill, precariously drifting toward the centreline, and wobbling at high speed. I have recently witnessed two other near misses on Stanley Street involving skaters.
I can’t presume to know that the location of the skatepark will undoubtedly cause an increase in such skateboard traffic, but I think most would agree, it is a safe assumption. Regardless of that, this traffic already exists — skatepark or not.
If an appropriate bylaw is not in place, it should become a priority with Council to make it so; but, that alone will not suffice. With the opening of the park, the timing is perfect to implement, or perhaps reinvigorate, three tools of hazard reduction: education, monitoring, and enforcement. If it’s not in the works already, I ask the City to please do this before a tragedy occurs.
Tom Cummings, Nelson