Dear Friends,
Last night I attended the public meeting on the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Urban Park.
I have never seen so many angry, but well behaved people in one room. The room, designed for 50 had at least 200 people, all mad as heck because the city gave the developers vision for developing 1300 acres adjacent to the park and would not allow any comments from the floor. Slightly one sided.
When the official meeting adjourned, one fellow suggested the rest of us re-convene for a discussion, the city turned off the mic!
We have two weeks only to make our feelings known to the city and it must be in writing.
Below is my letter. I encourage you to send your own, or cut and paste mine, if you are in agreement.
Many thanks
Syd Dumaresq, Chair Friends of Nature
Sample Letter
Mail To: “clerks@halifax.ca”; “linda.mosher@halifax.ca”
Subject: Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Urban Park
Hi,
It was very disappointing to attend last night’s meeting and not be able to voice an opinion. The whole process seems to be a way to express the developers’ opinions, not the citizens.
When Point Pleasant park was leased in 1866 I am sure the 190 acres appeared huge compared to the size of the city. Look at it now, being loved to death.
In 1908 when Sir Sanford Fleming donated his Dingle estate on the Arm to the Lieutenant Governor in trust for the City of Halifax, it seemed like a huge piece of land in the middle of nowhere, but it was gratefully accepted. Look at it now! A treasured place of refuge surrounded by urban development.
Halifax has a similar opportunity now in an area where 10 story apartments are springing up overnight like mushrooms. Although 4500 acres seems like a lot of land now, it is entirely appropriate for the current size of the city and the density of development proposed for the immediate area. To lose the opportunity of acquiring the final 1300 acres while they remain undeveloped is a once in a life time opportunity.
Undeveloped forest consumes and sequesters carbon, protects water courses, provides a refuge for wildlife and a refuge for humans.
Now is the time to open the municipal wallet, negotiate a fair price and purchase these two parcels.
Our great grandchildren will thank us.