Skating Trail--An email to Mark Grimes and Lura Consulting

I thought the outpouring of negative sentiment on the skateboard park in Sam Smith would have been a clear signal but obviously it fell on deaf ears.

I have numerous objections. First and foremost is that the community fought and worked hard to have Sam Smith a naturalized environment. Humber College is a gem in that it integrates with this concept. But there are no shortages of people who have little respect for community needs, urban ‘wildlife’ and most of all democratic principles. Not long ago it was a wind power generator next door and then the skate board park with a concession stand. Now it’s an energy intensive intrusive skating trail promoted as a ‘destination’ by those who have little knowledge of what and how a ‘destination ‘ is created.

Now I wish to point out that the city seems to have to spend my money on this while absolutely neglecting most of the installed recreation facilities it already has. Case in point, the Prince of Wales Park with its winter skating rink and a summer tennis court, both in destitute condition. No funds to revive it? None to keep it open? Rumor has it that the city will be closing this. And for good reason, the tennis court looks like rolling countryside and the nets are an embarrassment. The chain link fence is an eyesore as is the building with the fascia torn off. And the parking lot? Looks like Verdun after an artillery attack – you need 4WD to drive in and out! And it has no lights at all (although the city spent bundles to light a walk way across the park) and without lights anything goes there at night – I guess the city didn’t want to disturb the drug deals and happy hooker curb service that goes on there. And don’t get me started on the lack of management of the work done on 2nd street and the entrance to the park. If this were private industry there would be one black listed contractor and a city project engineer looking for work – both out the door due to blatant incompetence.

So you can pony up with $2M for something we as a community do not want and further neglect our needs. If one wishes to launch a tax payer revolt, this is a good start.


W. R. (Bil) Thuma, Geophysicist