Does multi-unit housing belong in a public park? For many Oak Bay residents, the answer is a firm “no.”
As the District of Oak Bay updates its master plan for 3.9-hectare Carnarvon Park, it’s presenting various options to residents.
One is the idea of an indoor pickleball court topped with 24 rental units.
Results from a community survey and a report to council are set to be presented at a special council meeting dedicated to Carnarvon Park set for Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
But Oak Bay has already received a petition with more than 900 names urging council to keep housing development out of parks.
While opponents recognize there is a housing shortage, they don’t believe housing belongs in parks, said Alex Hertel, who is part of a group of residents against the proposal.
“As a Canadian I’ve always felt that we have a sacred duty to protect our communal spaces for future generations,” he said.
Parks are for everyone, he said: “They are our commons.”
Hertel said he fears allowing housing in parks could set a precedent that makes it easier to erode park space in the future.
Carnarvon Park, at Carnarvon Street and Henderson Road in a neighbourhood of single-family homes, is one of the busiest parks in Oak Bay, he said. It includes a water park and facilities for lawn bowling, pickleball and soccer.
Opponents’ concerns include the potential size of a rental-housing project, parking, increased traffic and possible conflict between renters and park activities, which can be loud.
Hertel said as Oak Bay becomes denser, parks will become more important.
Steve Gorham, who lives near the park, which he said is used for picnics, birthday parties, bike riding and dog walking, said densification belongs on main corridors, not parks.
“If we need to put more apartments along Cadboro Bay or Oak Bay Avenue or Foul Bay Road, let’s make that easier for the builders.”
The proposed indoor pickleball and rental housing building would be about 12 metres high, a district official said.
Mayor Keven Murdoch said improving the park is a council priority, adding the district embarked on the updating plan with the idea of leaving the playing fields largely alone and concentrating on recreation services. The old cinder-block field house could be replaced with a structure with new washrooms and change rooms that could be used by community groups and for meetings, the mayor said.
The number of parking spaces will likely remain similar to what exists now. Parking is available most of the time, although it can be difficult to find a spot during peak periods, Murdoch said.
Lawn-bowling buildings will remain but “all the other pieces are still sort of up in the air,” he said.
While housing was “never the centre point of this discussion,” it was included as an option because if the district is going to put in a building, it wondered if it would it be feasible to add housing, Murdoch said.
The mayor said he is waiting for the upcoming meeting and reports before commenting on options.
“We recognize that these are really important public spaces, important for people’s health and fitness and [as] social gathering spaces and just some oasis from civilization,” he said.
Other suggestions put forward to residents for the park include pavilions, community rooms, childcare, outdoor pickleball courts, tennis courts, plazas, an adventure playground and an all-wheels multi-sport area.
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