Editor:
Re: Park destined for a higher and better use in the future, Community Comment, Aug. 8
Further to Doug Husband's community comment on the future for Paterson Park and his suggestion of having a multi-use facility for arts, cultural and heritage purposes, we, the Delta Seniors Planning Team, think this is a fine idea and invite Mr. Husband to join our team. It's curious that he, a former mayor of Delta, made no mention of our vision for Paterson Park, then maybe he doesn't know about it.
We made two presentations to the Corporation of Delta over this past year with our vision for Paterson Park to become a mini village that would provide affordable housing for all ages and incomes. The site would include a small commercial hub, both rental and owned housing for young families and seniors, a community market garden, a memory care centre for those with dementias and a number of public pocket parks as well as retaining the heritage racing oval.
Three public forums were held and response from the community has been very favourable. The high cost of land in Metro Vancouver is forcing South Delta's young families and seniors on fixed incomes to move farther east up the valley. Schools and stores are closing because our shrinking population can't support them.
There are important housing issues we need to address for the general health of our community. We see the size and location of Paterson Park as being unique with affordability being attained through leasing the land from the municipality.
We are currently awaiting feedback from our June 16 presentation to the municipality and hope that Paterson Park will be a continuing topic in the upcoming November elections. We welcome the insight of Mr. Husband and invite him and others who would like to join our team.
ML Burke
Chair, Housing Action Team Delta Seniors Planning Team
