Representatives from Battlefords Early Childhood Intervention Program were before North Battleford city council Monday night with some big proposals for Central Park.
A delegation from the organization proposed a “natural learning space” for Central Park.
A natural play space was defined as one designed with the intent of bringing children and people back to nature.
According to Colleen Sabraw, executive director of ECIP, it would include such things as indigenous vegetation, diverse colors and textures, and places where kids could “take risks” such as climb up rocks.
It could also be a place where children could get exposure to all types of weather through the year.
She noted other cities across Canada have been shifting to this sort of community park space, with Hamilton, Calgary, Surrey and Halifax among them.
Sabraw said ECIP sees the Central Park location as a prime location because of the proximity to the library and its association with events such as the International Street Performer Festival, Aboriginal Storytelling and the Teddy Bear Clinic.
From the city, Sabraw said, they needed the approval of the concept in principle, approval to proceed with plans in Central Park, a co-lead in the planning process and resourcing from city staff. Sabraw pledged ECIP’s own financial contribution to the initiative, as well as assistance in applying for grants and building partnerships.
When it came time for questions, Mayor Ryan Bater asked whether they were focused on Central Park or open to other locations.
Sabraw indicated she was open to alternatives, but also pointed to the positives of Central Park, pointing to its central location and the various natural advantages it already offers, such as an abundance of trees.
“Central Park just happens to be a place that’s within walking distance for a number of families,” said Sabraw.
“It’s central to a lot of people and certainly brings people downtown.”
While there were a number of commitments that ECIP was seeking for the project, no resolutions have been put to council as of yet.
The next step now is for administration to look into the issue further, particularly with Leisure Services and the Planning and Development departments, to determine if there are fits within the various parks in the city for this idea.
City Manager Jim Puffalt indicated a further update is likely to come back at the next council meeting.
