Dan Chenier is Ottawa’s GM/DG of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
As Evan Solomon said in an interview on CFRA (send me the link someone, I am paraphrasing), All someone had to do was give the City a million and a photo op and they would overlook democratic process.
I wrote to Dan Chenier to get some clarification on why Mooney’s Bay was chosen
My questions:
1. Is the City able to release any kind of criteria for the choice of this waterfront land?
2. Was it only the fact that the producers of a TV show “fell in love” with our already well used, much loved and inestimably valuable waterfront parkland?
I expected something about the needs of the City according to the following criteria:
- our philosophy and long term strategy for parks in Ottawa
- latest research showing play structures promote children’s health
- infrastructure assessment
- traffic assessment
- environmental impact assessment
- long term costs for maintenance
In addition, given that the City feels that the Sue Holloway Park (which is in continuous use to date) has outlived its natural lifespan in less than 20 years, could the City reassure me that a play structure built as an event for reality TV and costing millions would last and be useful into its first decade.
Dan Chenier’s entire response
My response to Dan Chenier and City council
Thanks very much for this. It looks like the proponent told you what they wanted and you gave it to them.
I have enjoyed a good relationship with Riley Brockington and he has led me to expect consultation and good governance. This falls ridiculously short.
- What criteria does the park have to meet in order to fit in with any kind of City long term plan?
- What evaluation did the City do to ensure the park met the needs of all the current users? Why were the tax payers not consulted?
- Isn’t it usual for any kind of water front development to meet some kind of environmental criteria?
I cannot speak to all the other kinds of traffic, parking and infrastructure concerns, not to mention the current non-existent drainage and deplorable condition and availability of bathroom facilities in the park at the current moment.
I can speak to the value to all of Mooney’s Bay park, just as it is.
This is a magical piece of green space on the water with access to water that is a heritage for all users and all citizens to come that cannot be replaced.
My City has given water front green space on a Unesco World Heritage site with access to the only race course in town and the best natural basin for flat water racing in the world to a TV show. Because they asked.
I implore you to rethink the location.
Update: Halifax, Sinking Ship Entertainment and Giver150
Last fall Halifax entered and exited from negotiations with Sinking Ship Entertainment and Giver150.
Here is Halifax’s list of criteria, for comparison.
Candidate sites were identified based on:
- existing play equipment and condition;
- walking distance to nearest park/playground;
- number of residents who will benefit – population density;
- demographic composition of surrounding neighbourhood; and
- socio-economic factors.
For more information, see Halifax City Criteria for Giver150 Site.
Save Mooney's Bay 