Laurie Park Update – Minister Says Day Use Will Remain
Grand Lake (D2N) – There is an important late-breaking update to the Save Laurie Park saga. Hot on the heels of an all-out effort by local residents fighting to preserve their current day-access to Laurie Park in Grand Lake, an email was received by Liz Curran in response to the letter she wrote to the Minister, asking him to reconsider the plan to remove daytime and summer access from local residents once the planned redevelopment of Laurie Park begins early this coming spring. The letter came from Mr. MacDonell’s constituency assistant Randall Leighton.
The letter read as follows :
Mr. MacDonell gave me an update this morning and asked that I relay it.
There seems to be a misconception regarding the Department of Natural Resource’s plans for the Laurie Park upgrade. Minister MacDonell has stated that there is no plan to terminate the traditional day use of the park by the public. The misunderstanding may have arisen because the park will be closed to the public this summer so that the work can be completed. There are changes planned; the camping sites will be enlarged, a comfort station (washrooms) will be installed, and drive-in traffic may be restricted. Increased access for disabled users to the swimming area is also being considered. However, the traditional use of the park that the public has enjoyed, i.e. use of the trails and access to the swimming area, etc., will not be curtailed, nor was it ever in the plans to do so. I hope this alleviates your concern, but I encourage you to email your concerns or any other suggestion or comment regarding Laurie Park to the Executive Director of Parks, Mr. Harold Carroll. Mr. Carroll’s email address is carrolhe@gov.ns.ca.
This news contradicts the information provided by Mr. Harold Carroll – Director of Parks for The Dept. of Natural Resources Nova Scotia. Although Mr. Carroll was not aware of the letter issued by the minister’s office, in a telephone interview today (Jan. 19) he said the original point of the information session had been to hear the positive and negative comments from people, and to allow people to provide feedback. Carroll said he had been involved in a conversation with the Mr. MacDonell one day earlier, and they were aware of the concerns raised.
“We are certainly open to revising the original plan,” said Carroll, “At this time I can’t be more specific – we have to go back and see how we can accommodate day-use access to walking and using the shoreline.”
Carroll said redevelopment of the park is still a go, “We know we still have to upgrade the camping opportunity,” he said. “But the pattern has shown itself, which we knew it would do, and what our hope is now, is despite the too and fro, that what we end up with is a good plan for everybody.”
Curran is pleased, although cautious “I am thrilled to be advised by Mr. MacDonell that the public will be able to enjoy continued traditional use of Laurie Park, i.e. use of the trails and access to the swimming areas, etc., and that it will not be curtailed due to changes being made.”
Curran expressed her appreciation for the people responsible for listening to, and considering, the wishes of the public, “Laurie Park is the gem of this area,” said Curran. “I would like to thank those involved in these decisions, for recognizing the importance of Laurie Park to this community.”
I’d like to know the intentions for the rock features on the shore. ‘Safety concerns’ over the rock formations show that DNR is not interested in preserving the natural features of the park. They are interested in increasing revenue, not preserving the park for the community.
How refreshing.
Percy Paris is a politician that listens to his constituents and acts in their best interests. I can’t wait to see how the “I’ll vote Tory no matter what,” camp tries to portray Minister Paris in a negative manner on this one.
Thanks for listening and acting Mr. Paris.
You are entitled to your opinion Mr Boyce, but Mr Paris is far from what you describe. He has yet to respond to my letter re Laurie Park concerns.
In the past Mr Paris has shown me to be a self serving individual that does the minimum to stay informed and relays that minimum to the public. He is far from the politician you speak of. In fact we haven’t heard from Mr Paris since his election to office except when issues related to his interest are brought forward.
I think the NDP have bitten off a lot more than they can chew. Thanks for being in the shadows Mr Paris.
To Opposing,
Below is what is in the article to which you and Mr. Boyce posted responses:
“From Mr. Percy Paris:
I have just received word that the conceptual plans for Laurie Park will be revised. The new plans will allow year-long walking access and shoreline access to day-users as well as campers. NR have stated that they have heard the concerns of the community and is now looking into what accommodations can be made for local residents and other day-users.”
and also “As I find out the purpose of the meeting, I will advise you accordingly. I will keep you in the loop with the hopes that you will feed information to the community.”
It sure seems like he has responded to the issue.
This information was apparently posted on the “Save Laurie Park” Facebook group. Using modern networking methods to communicate to the public is to be commended.
Steve, Your exuberant endorsement of MLA paris gives you a deer in the headlites look. Paris has responded positivelyon this issue to date; however perhaps you would like to explain to the folks of Monarch Rivendale where he has been regarding their fight for water in a community that is in fact endangered. Paris answered with no money from pcap for them..
Residents of Springgreen would like to know why they have had no success for their street improvements.
Councillor Dalrymple and the WAAA would like to know where paris’s funding support for the new baseball field in Waverley has gone. Provincial support was virtually committed by the previous government and now has disappeard.
Support to the BeaverBank ATV club was committed by the previous government and it has gone.
On a broader scale, Paris, as a Minister of the Crown has struck a blow to all Nova Scotia and in particular, South Western nova scotia with cuts to funding for the Yarmouth ferry.
The list goes on. Need I continue ?