The City of St. Albert is hosting a public presentation on two preliminary designs for a new park in Kingswood.
The evening of Oct. 15, residents can join in to hear more about the concept plan for Kingsmeade Park with opportunities to ask questions from 6 to 8 p.m. through Zoom. This presentation comes after the city released a survey in late August to get a better understanding of what residents want the park to look like.
Council approved the transfer of the 2.3-hectare parcel from local developer Canterra back in February, putting plans for a future park into motion. St. Albert will be drawing up to $3.94 million from its capital reserve to fund the development.
In the survey, residents were asked about who they thought would use the park, what amenities they'd like to see built (like an off-leash dog park and basketball court) and the look and feel of the space. The 326 responses, a majority of which were from Kingswood residents, was then compiled in a city report titled 'What We Heard.'
The survey found adults make up the largest group of potential park users at 61.5 per cent, followed by students (six to 12 years old) and youth (13 to 18 years old). Residents ranked playgrounds and play equipment up at the top of the list for activities, followed by walking and hiking trails, sledding, skating and soccer. Overall, residents said they preferred a calming, natural space.
Respondents also noted several potential concerns with the park's development, including speed concerns around Kingswood Boulevard, parking availability, noise, and making sure the park is community focused.
Feedback in the report, along with technical studies and city administration input, was used to put together two concept design plans for the future park.
What do you think?
The first option includes a wrap around trail, two playgrounds, picnic shelter, multi-use sports court with basketball and a mini-soccer pitch, a hockey rink with lighting, and open space.
The second is similar, but has plans for a more social ice surface, two playgrounds, picnic shelter, multi-use sports court, and a small sledding hill.
A short survey around the concept plans will be open online from Oct. 15 to Oct. 26.
To register for the presentation on Thursday, visit http://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_viFf4BsOQZ6pKBZsicp90A.
