Downtown Squamish may well be on its way to having a "destination park" to call its own in 2011 if all goes according to plan.
District of Squamish council had already decided to allocate $80,000 to rebuild Stan Clarke Park - but thanks to some hard work and quick thinking over the holidays by planners Jim Charlebois and Elaine Naisby, Squamish could end up with a $435,000 park for $120,000.
That's because they've completed the design components and a preliminary concept for Stan Clarke Park in time to apply for a Towns for Tomorrow grant by the deadline of Friday (Jan.14).
"I'm so impressed by the work and initiative taken by staff," said chief administrative officer Kevin Ramsay. "They've taken on work that would have cost between $20,000 and $25,000 had we hired someone."
Naisby, who started working for the district in October, is a registered landscape architect and Charlebois also has a background in architectural design.
During a special council meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 11), council passed a resolution to approve $40,000 during budget discussions.
If the government funding comes through, all the park components outlined in the design could be completed. If not, only the first phase, which includes the playground equipment and its infrastructure, would be completed.
The planners' ideal "destination park" was created after officials received substantial community feedback via public meetings and correspondence.
"Council said they wanted to see a destination park and playground downtown and that's what we've tried to create," Charlebois said.
He said a key objective was to connect the downtown park system.
"We wanted to focus on the connectivity of parks downtown," he said. "It's two sides of the same park and we're trying to bring both sides together."
The preliminary design connects the current Stan Clarke Park and Cenotaph Park with a paved walkway, built to accommodate market and artisan vendors along the sides when desired.
"Our design rationale was to provide a well-defined public space and connect the green space," Charlebois said.
New and improved playground equipment, two reading circles, a climbing boulder, a birch tree grove and a central plaza are all part of the plan to make the new Stan Clarke Park appealing for all ages, said Naisby.
If the Royal Canadian Legion agrees, the plan is to put the Cenotaph at the centre of the plaza, highlighting its significance.
"We would obviously work with the Legion on that and if they don't want to move it that's fine," said Charlebois. "But we think the Cenotaph should be highlighted better - it's an important ceremonial monument."
Also, to emphasize the park's continuity, Charlebois said there would an artistic initiative to have the mosaic tiles in the west side of the park mirrored in the ceremonial plaza on the east side.
The plan also suggests moving all the sculptures in Sculpture Garden to the "destination park." Naisby said the artist will be contacted shortly about that idea.
Overall, council members were pleased with the design and made it clear they were keen to approve the $40,000 during budget discussions.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman particularly liked the reading circles and said it made sense considering the number of kids who come to read at the park even without the seating to do so.
Coun. Bryan Raiser agreed but called some components unnecessary.
"I love the plaza idea and I think the plan is fantastic," he said. "I particularly think the boulder will be well used.
"The only component I don't see as necessary is the proposed fence surrounding the park - it just seems like an added cost."
Coun. Corinne Lonsdale said she saw the park "as a real place for families and a quiet area in some ways.
"I think the plan is great but was wondering if there's a way to put a roof over one of the reading circles?" she asked.
She also supported moving the sculptures in hopes that one area known as Block 19 could be used for kicking around a soccer ball or some other activity.
Coun. Rob Kirkham also supported the idea but asked staff to ensure that the ceremonial plaza site had electricity so that speakers could use microphones during gatherings and presentations.
The planning department should find out in mid-March whether the district will receive the grant. In the meantime, Charlebois recommended initiating discussions with the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for the relocation and expansion of the existing cenotaph, and consulting with downtown community organizations about park components.
