New Duchess Park Plan Gets Green Light

Monday, April 04, 2011 08:20 PM

Trails, an all weather field, multi-purpose courts and an off leash dog park are all proposed in the plan

Prince George, B.C.- The final plan for Duchess Park has been approved by Prince George City Council.

The plan calls for a phased in process for the 3.91 hectare property on the north side of Duchess Park Secondary School . This is the property the School District and Province agreed to give to the City in exchange for the City giving up Alward Park for the construction of what will be the Kordyban Cancer Care Lodge.

There are several elements to the park, which, if all elements are developed would cost about $2.7 million dollars . About half of that amount ($1.4 million) would go towards the construction of the synthetic all weather field.

In addition to an all weather field, the plan calls for the development of a

• fenced off leash dog park,

• an accessible playground,

• picnic area,

• amphi-theatre,

• multi purpose courts,

• a mini bike park and

• the relocation of a softball back stop.

Each phase of the development would be done as funding became available.

Councillor Shari Green said she noted the one concern people seem to have is about the all weather field and the lighting. She says the height of lights, specifically "light pollution" is a concern. Parks and Open Space Planner, Laurie-Ann Kosec says the maximum time use would be to 10:00 p.m. and new lighting technologies would reduce the glare, and the light spill would be reduced. There are still some discussions to undergo over the issue of parking. There are 40 spaces along Ross Crescent, but there are concerns about how that will impact snow removal.

While called an "all weather field" Laurie Ann Kosec says it should be considered a synthetic field that will be able to be used in early spring and later into the fall than the natural fields in the City.

Councillor Munoz was also concerned about the possibility of light pollution, and would like to see a traffic analysis done as well. Longe Range Planner, Dan Milburn says if Council would like to see a traffic analysis brought into play before the all weather field would be developed, that would be appropriate when that phase of the development comes forward. First there needs to be funding sources identified for that piece of the work.

Kosec says the residents told them they would like to see a park that is a "destination" like a Fort George Park.

The work planned for this year will see the greening of the parkland, development of some trails, the dog park, and start work on the accessible playground. "We are in the initial stages of working with the Prince George Cycling Club who are very interested in working with us in the development of the mini bike park" says Kosec.

Councillor Don Bassermann says the completion of this park will not only boost the real estate values of the existing homes in the neighbourhood, he hopes it will encourage new development in the area as well.

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Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 08:20 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: verballabel on April 4 2011 9:15 PM

Sounds great! A step to getting more development in the downtown core. The crescents are a special part of PG, and this new park will be a great addition.

Posted by: CabinFeverGirl on April 4 2011 10:11 PM

Hope the accessible playground has an accesable surface and accesable entry paths

Posted by: Loki on April 4 2011 10:30 PM

Too cool.
Has anyone happened to be riding a bike during the spring thaw. Have you ever noted that around any open space, the smell of doggy doo saturates the air. One can not only smell it, but also taste it. Hmm, yummy, And our kids play in those open spaces.

Of course that will not happen to this doggy park, because every dog owner/caretaker/walker will dilligently pick up their duty (doody) every single time, all winter and summer. Right?

Ah, the cresents get the benefit of this wonderous facility in their own neighbourhood. Spring will be such a joy for those closest to it. I would also suspect that the sidewalks and other access routes to it may end up with a few premature urinations plus number two's. Dogs don't poop on command you know.

How many other dog parks are there in PG?

Please bear in mind that I am not against pets, and I respect most living creature excepting most humans. Common sense is not so common. People are selfish and self serving. The modern attitude is, "I want it, I will have. Consequences to others be damned." I do have pets including a large shepard. The but here is I live on a quarter acre fenced yard. She also has many animal friends in the neighbourhood which she has play dates with frequently.

Last summer we tried an organic lawn care solution, meat rabbits. We got some one inch poultry wire, some bamboo stakes and surrounded our yard with a bunny proof enclosure. Actually, I created pasture areas as they mowed (ate) the different areas. I did not mow all summer except once because the ditch was getting tall. In late october, they went into the freezer. They were very tasty. Against my wishes, the kids got themselves a couple of dwarf bunnies that are now litter trained house bunnies.

Posted by: deadbug900 on April 5 2011 11:09 AM

This is pretty neat. I wisw I were still living in Prince George to take advantage of this. This just adds to the beautification of the down town core.