Contemplating Queen's Park's future

Queen's Park is the focal point of much of New Westminster's recreational and cultural life. It's been that way for more than a century. It's had quite a past and its present is thriving. Now the city is embarking on developing its future.
New Westminster's flagship park hasn't changed much in the last 45 years, but the nature of New Westminster has, and its population is only going to grow.
That's going to mean more demand for the recreation and leisure activities Queen's Park is used for, so the city is beginning the process of developing a master plan for the park. It all starts Saturday, March 10 with a day-long event throughout the park where city staff will be soliciting the public's opinion on everything from flower beds to soccer pitches to parking, and more.
"Much of the infrastructure in the park has significantly aged, also the natural infrastructure like trees and flower beds are getting older. Inevitably things will change for the park," said city parks director Dean Gibson.
That's why the city needs to plan its priorities on what should be retained and what should be changed. "What do we envision the park being as for the next several generations ... Balancing that is a challenge for the city."
Queen's Park is home to not only the venerable and iconic Arena and Arenex, but sports fields, a baseball stadium, gardens, a children's petting zoo, a bandshell, a picnic area, an art gallery, a theatre, walking paths, an off-leash dog area and trees, lots of trees.
Gibson said the process of developing a plan requires blue-sky thinking, and is encouraging comments from regular users of the park as well as infrequent visitors.
He also said it will be good to have vigorous discussion around the issues without the spectre of a project hanging overhead. He pointed out the reality is these dialogues don't come up until a project comes up and a decision has to be made.
Earlier this week, city council members floated some topics to be considered in the plan. Coun. Jaimie McEvoy raised wildlife, enhanced pathways and increasing park revenue streams as possible items to be considered. Coun. Bill Harper wondered about the viability of some of the park's aging buildings. Coun. Lorrie Williams would like a covered area in the park's garden where, as a marriage commissioner, she has presided over many weddings, too often while its raining.
Mayor Wayne Wright also floated the concept of a private health centre where the old tennis courts are between the baseball stadium and the Arenex.