ALBERTON, P.E.I. - A committee that was granted permission to establish a small park on town-owned land has been asked by council to remove the posts for a walking track.
Mayor David Gordon expressed concern during the December council meeting that the three posts at either end create a safety issue for snowmobilers and all-terrain vehicle operators who have been known to frequent that area.
“We just want to make sure nobody gets hurt,” said the mayor.
Councillor David Cahill agreed with the mayor’s assessment and moved a motion to have the posts removed.
“I think it should be taken out. I think it is a liability,” he said.
The park was established
Kathyrn Curtis, chair of the park committee, admitted surprise when advised Tuesday of council’s concern.
It was the town’s maintenance man, she said, who installed the posts for the committee as the first step in having a fence erected.
The early arrival of snow prevented the completion of the fencing.
Ironically, the intent of the fence was to keep all-terrain vehicles out, she said.
Cahill also admitted surprise with how the park turned out.
“My opinion, I think it was a waste of their money to put that small park there,” he said.
Coun. Connie Bernard, however, reminded him council knew a walking track was proposed for the parcel of land the town provided the committee.
Curtis said more work is planned. She said carpentry students have built the benches and picnic tables that will be installed next spring. Shrubs, flowers and plants will also be added by springtime.
Weather conditions were a challenge this year, she said.
“We couldn’t put them in earlier because, during the summer it was so dry, and there is no water supply down there. Then when the rains came, the rains really came, and then the snow came shortly after.”
A small walking track was paved this year and Curtis said she has been advised by a committee member who lives close by that it has been used extensively.
