City Council Candidates: their positions on the Future of Lake Ontario Park

[FRIEND]

The following e-mail was sent to selected candidates running for office on Kingston City Council, November, 2006 (ie those for whom e-mail addresses were readily available)

"On behalf of Friends of Lake Ontario Park, I invite you to state your position on the future of Lake Ontario Park on the Kingston Electors Forum (under the heading Our Vision - Key Local Issues in Kingston) at

http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=410.

As positions are posted on the Kingston Electors Forum, I will keep the Friends informed via the e-mail distribution list.

For more information about Friends of Lake Ontario Park, please see the Friends' web-site at www.friendsoflakeontariopark.org (http://www.friendsoflakeontariopark.org)."

The following candidates were contacted directly by e-mail, but of course, all are invited to comment.

Rick DOWNES, Kevin GEORGE, Harvey ROSEN
Rob MATHESON, Bittu GEORGE, Lisa OSANIC,Mike SINGH
Dorothy HECTOR, Moe ROYER, Mark GERRETSEN,Vicki SCHMOLKA
John CHOWN, Patrick FOLEY, Rob GILMOUR, Steve GARRISON
Ed SMITH,Todd SPECK,Andrew GOODRIDGE, Nathaniel ERSKINE-SMITH
Bill GLOVER, Rob HUTCHISON, Sean MOLLOY, Mark POTTER, Richard MOLLER

[vicki]

I support keeping Lake Ontario Park as public property, for all the people of Kingston, and visitors, to enjoy.

Vicki Schmolka
Candidate for City Council, Trillium District

[Dorothy Hector]

As I grew up in Kingston I remember well going to Lake Ontario Park to participate in many events from the annual fireworks displays on labour day to setting up our picnic lunch while we watched the tall ships sail past.

I firmly believe that we need to preserve the park as public land and that we need to make it appealing to the people of Kingston as a place to relax, enjoy and be entertained. The three proposed concepts are very interesting and bring forward many ideas. I would like to see Concept 2 adopted with some adjustments:
a. the entrance, open field, camping areas to resemble concept 3; and
b. replace the gazebo with the major pavillion for year round activities as per concept 3.

Protecting the park with as much of the natural wetland and forest needs to be a priority. Year round use is important and needs to be fostered. I have always wondered why Kingston never had a symphony/band playing near the waters edge with people able to gather around with picnic lunches, lawn chairs to enjoy the entertainment and celebrate Canada's birthday with all the pomp and circumstance, yet in a beautiful natural setting that we could show the world.

For a city with such a wonderful asset - the waterfront - we need to make it the place to be with bike and walking paths for families, friends and visitors to enjoy.

Dorothy Hector
Candidate for Council Lakeside District

[cain]

Lake Ontario Park should stay as a public property (park). The park has been used as a campground and amusement park for many years until recently. The amusement park left for a number of reasons. But why the city closed the campground is beyond me Now that the amusement park has moved and the city has closed the campground. Now would be the perfect time to renovate the area so that it can be use as a public gathering place with an out door venue, public beach and a campground again.

I can remember growing up going to Lake Ontario Park on holidays for fireworks and family gathering. The location is one of the few undeveloped waterfront jewel that Kingston has left. I would hate to see this Kingston jewel get developed, because once this has happened we will al regret it as Kingston is already lacking public accessible waterfront and beach properly.

[Rob Matheson]

Thank-you for being proactive in helping determine the future of our beautiful community park. It is essential that groups such as yours continue to be actively involved in preserving our natural heritages, for not only ourselves but future generations, and fostering discussion on potential uses.

I am firmly committed to keeping Lake Ontario a public property to be enjoyed by all. In fact a key plank on my brochure specifically speaks to re-opening a public campground on the property to help promote affordable tourism within the area, as well as to provide local families with an easy to get to spot to enjoy the camping experience.

I agree firmly that the outdoor entertainment aspect could be enhanced with a year round pavillion, and promoting it's use in the Summer of outdoor concerts and events, with a family focus.

The beach area could also be developed to allow for a summer use as a recreational swimming area, with lifeguard opportunities for summer employment that can be looked to by our area youth. The walking and bike paths could also be improved, and perhaps a section of the park assigned as an off-leash dog area.

Lake Ontario Park is a key local landmark and as result should at all costs be protected from commercial and private development, and kept public.

Any uses that the park should be put to in the future should be done with full public participation and input from all individuals and groups such as yourself, with specific guidelines that keep it in the public domain, and ensure it's green spaces are protected and enhanced.

Sincerely,

Rob Matheson

Candidate for City Council
Loyalist - Cataraqui District 2
www.robforthejob.com (http://www.robforthejob.com)
613-384-7717

[FRIEND]

Rick Downes sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Lake Ontario should be maintained as a public park and recreational area. It should not be used as a high tech or other themed industrial park. The public beach needs to be improved to encourage public use."

Rick Downes

[FRIEND]

Ed Smith sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Lake Ontario Park is more than about just the revitalization of a park, it’s about preservation and development of community.

Every morning, every noon hour, every late afternoon, Kingstonians meet each other on the grounds of Lake Ontario Park. In some cases, they walk for their health. In many cases, they walk for the health of their pets. In all cases, their daily meetings contribute to the overall health and very fabric of this community. We toy with that - and, similarly, toy with our other community meeting places - at our peril.

Far too many Kingstonians know Lake Ontario Park as little more than a pleasant, but distant, childhood memory of a waterfront amusement park. Those of us who know better, have to work together to re-introduce the community to this jewel.

Lake Ontario Park was the home of the 2006 Teddy Bear Picnic, which introduced a whole new generation to the potential of the park. As your Councillor, I pledge to work with groups such as Friends of Lake Ontario Park, other community organizations, as well as the City’s Culture and Recreation Department to ensure that this, like so many other of our community resources, grows up to realize its full potential as a publicly owned community park.

To the Friends of Lake Ontario Park, I implore you to continue your work on behalf of the community, not just in terms of the Park, but in establishing our longer-term vision for other community assets. To the list, I add support of the Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre, revitalization of the Memorial Centre, and re-purposing of our neighbourhood-based recreational facilities.

It takes a community to build a community. You have demonstrated your commitment to our collective quality of life. With your support, I look forward to championing you efforts in the new term of Council."

Ed Smith,
Candidate for Re-election to City Council
Willamsville District

[FRIEND]

Mark Potter sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"I applaud the community group that is focusing on the future use of Lake Ontario Park. As a child growing up in Portsmouth, I learned to swim at LOP, rode the small train that went through the park and remember a time when it was a busy beach and a focal point for the entire community. Going forward, I believe it has to remain parkland that is accessible to all. I have reviewed the three potential designs for the park and each has merit. I especially like the idea of a band shell being built right on the water and I would like to see it as a gathering spot for summer concerts at sunset. The idea of a marina and boat launch at or near the former Elevator Bay would breathe additional life into the area and help address the shortage of marine facilities in Kingston. With the growing popularity of Recreational Vehicles among retirees and baby boomers I still believe to promote tourism and our city and generate some revenues there is an opportunity for at least a limited portion of the park to be made available for RV'ers who want to stay right in the City of Kingston."

Mark Potter
Candidate
King's Town District
http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/images/buttons/edit.gif (http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=6397)

[FRIEND]

Todd Speck sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"I do not have a set vision for the future of the park, only that it not be divested by the city, and that the next council should take public input into account when developing a vision for the park."

Regards,

Todd Speck
http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/images/buttons/edit.gif (http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=6361)

[andrew goodridge]

October 23, 2006 - Today, I reflected upon the Lake Ontario Park question. I would personally prefer to see Lake Ontario Park remain publicly owned, and I'm quite certain this echoes the sentiment of the majority in Williamsville. Specifically, I would like to see a day where Lake Ontario Park is host to a "Shakespeare in the Park" outdoor theatre, or something similar. Kingston has a vibrant arts scene, and there is a ton of local production and acting talent that would surely be interested in such an idea. I prefer the second proposed revitilization concept (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/lop/), but I think there is more room for public input as to what Lake Ontario Park should eventually become.

[FRIEND]

Harvey Rosen sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Thank you for the opportunity to provide information on my position on Lake Ontario Park. If you would be kind enough to post the following information on your website, I would appreciate it.

Lake Ontario Park has served generations of Kingstonians and because Council wisely determined that it will remain in public hands, it will do so into the future as well. I support that decision wholeheartedly. I also think Lake Ontario Park deserves some concentrated attention so it will make the best and most appropriate contribution to the range of recreational opportunities available to our citizens in the years ahead.

The City has begun a process of consultation to determine the best uses of the Park. I am confident we will be successful in identifying and completing a project we can be proud of, especially if we bring our creativity and ingenuity to the task. For instance, I have suggested that we consider the possibility of a fresh water pool at the Park, right next to the lake. We all know how difficult it is to access the waterfront at the Park - the shoreline is definitely not beach-like! A lakeside pool filled from the lake would make swimming much safer for our citizens without sacrificing the freshwater swimming experience. We might add an extra measure of environmental protection by heating the pool with solar energy.

These are just ideas, but I hope that possibilities like this will be raised in the consultation process so we can make Lake Ontario Park a really great place for generations to come."

Thank you
Mayor Harvey Rosen

[Mark Gerretsen]

LakeOntarioPark is one of my favourite places in our great city; its beautiful trails, amazing waterfront and natural atmosphere are second to none. I can remember a time when families of all ages and generations visited the park on a regular basis. Nagging at our parents to take us there was routine in my family in the early 1980s. At one time there use to be a sandy beach, entertainment for children and adults, and of course, the camping for our visitors. For far too long the park has been underutilized and over looked by city officials and council.

When the park initially closed in 2005 it affected not only local residents but routine visitors to our community. When the city was conducting its services review they failed to take many factors into consideration – including the trickle down affects - when deciding to close the park. The campground has been an attraction for visitors from Canada and the United States for many years and its closure meant the loss of significant tourist revenue for our local businesses. LakeOntarioPark has also operated as a venue for many municipal and provincial events, such as dog shows, concerts and charity activities and, of course, the Victoria Day and Canada Day fireworks displays. These are all events that are currently no longer hosted on this site.

There is a real opportunity here to make LakeOntarioPark something truly special; something that not only residents can use but tourists as well. I want to see this park remain in public ownership and revitalized to bring back camping as well as a first rate venue for tourism and community based events. Residents in our community have a deep connection and vested interest in this park’s past and present that cannot be lost to poor political decision making. Let’s make LakeOntarioPark a legacy for years to come! Let’s let the children of tomorrow have similar memories that the adults of today enjoy.

[Glenn Barnes]

I applaud the effort and work done by the Friends of Lake Ontario Park and all others who have contributed in their own way to the preservation of this unique and renowned public space.

My position on the future of Lake Ontario Park is that stated by the Friends of Lake Ontario Park.

I am dedicated to preserving this unique and beautiful spot, in its entirety, as a green space for the use and pleasure of all citizens of Kingston and visitors. To have it recognize by the city for its splendour as a place of play, picnics walks, and the wonders of nature.

Glenn Barnes,
Candidate for City Council, Williamsville District

[FRIEND]

Kevin George sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Lake Ontario Park must remain in public hands. It is not for sale."

"Lake Ontario Park must remain a place for future generations of Kingstonians to enjoy with their families. We must restore this park to its original splendour by working with all Kingstonians to identify those features they wish included in the park. The public consultation process is in place and I look forward to seeing the results. If the public demands
it, I too would like to see the park accommodate campers once again."

"I consulted with City Staff and was told that if the political will exists, it is possible to re-establish a public beach at the park. I view this as an essential component of the park's future and and I will work with the new Council to help make our shared vision for the park come true."

Sincerely,

Kevin George
Mayoralty Candidate

[posting]

Moe Royer, Candidate for Portsmouth District
Position on Lake Ontario Park

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your question.

I strongly believe that Lake Ontario Park should be preserved and enhanced for the enjoyment of the citizens of Kingston, as well as visitors to our beautiful city. The park should be a place where Kingstonians can get away from their busy daily lives to reconnect with nature in as natural a setting as possible. The natural flora and fauna should be enhanced throughout the park. Better facilities, such as washrooms, are needed. The historical beach area should be cleaned up and restored. Paths that are safe and well laid out, for walkers and bikers alike, need to be addressed.

I would like to see the park become a people's gathering place, whether it be citizens using the park for family picnics as they did in the past, enjoying the magnificent scenery the park provides along its paths, or perhaps even a place where multicultural festivals may be held. I am not opposed to events, such as an RV convention if the facilities would permit such short-term uses, so visitors to our fair city can appreciate this jewel of a park on the shores of our great Lake Ontario.

In mid-September, I met with City Hall officials regarding their plans for the future of Lake Ontario Park. There has been no decision made with regard to the three proposals presented to the public. Before a final decision is made, I believe that the new Council needs to have further consultations with the public.


Regards,

Moe Royer,
Candidate for Portsmouth District

[FRIEND]

Bill Glover sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Bill Glover supports the restoration Lake Ontario Park and reopening the campground. It is an important park for all Kingston residents. It also provided an important location for tourists who wanted to stay locally but inexpensively. The Services Review Committee deliberately ignored this point when they advanced their calculation of why the park should be closed.

Under no circumstances should the grounds be sold off for development."

[FRIEND]

Steve Garrison sent his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"Based on the three concept drawings presented, Concept 3 appeals to me the most.

My position on Lake Ontario Park is that it must remain publicly owned recreational and green space.

My personal preference would be for it to be used as it had been used for years up until 2004 - - as part green space, part amusement park, part campground with the addition of a swimming area."

Steve Garrison

[FRIEND]

Rob Hutchison forwarded his comments on the future of Lake Ontario Park by e-mail to the Friends' web-site. A copy is provided below:

"I believe that Lake Ontario Park should remain publicly owned and operated. I think we should start the process by making the beaches inviting and useable again and by revitalizing the camping grounds for public use. I do not want to see the park privatized or have any commercial or residential development in it.

Rob Hutchison
Candidate - for Councillor
King's Town District"

[Inports]

Tick,Tock.......Tick,Tock........ the last post was November 2006,Are we any closer to some type of decision

Gotta love Kingston

[Dogma]

Ontario Park, Memorial Center..Confederation Park, Sir John A MacDonald Blvd.
on and on....

Very "Grand" titles, to otherwise basic public infastructure ideas...with little concept or real visiion....

Thats Kingston!