The Kinsmen Play Village was once a busy place for families, but now it’s gated off and set for deconstruction next week.
“We live in the neighborhood. I have a four-and-a-half-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter and we’ve been using the park on almost a daily basis for four years,” said local resident Kurt Soucy.
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Not anymore, but Soucy isn’t alone.
Robin Hansen also enjoys the playground with her two-year-old and isn’t going to let it go without a fight.
“There really is no good reason so I thought I’d create an online petition and see if I’m the only one or not,” Hansen explained.
The University of Saskatchewan associate law professor’s petition to re-open the Kinsmen Play Village has gained almost 500 signatures in four days.
As a part of a master plan created by the City of Saskatoon over five years ago, it was decided 90 per cent of the Kinsmen playground would be moved to Ashworth Holmes Park in Caswell Hill as part of an accessible destination playground. In its place, a new larger play structure, now known as the PotashCorp Playland, would be built close to the rides.
After deconstruction the area will be seeded and landscaped so it can be a usable park space. The open area will allow for the expansion of cross-country ski loops in the winter.
“In the end of the master plan we had some folks suggest we keep the play village, but a broader majority wanted a new large-scale play structure closer to where the rides are,” said Lynne Lacroix, recreation and community development director with the city.
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Lacroix explained the master plan was developed with consultation from the public. Ten workshops with stakeholders, children and the general public made up the key input.
But according to Hansen’s research, only 280 people gave their feedback and now almost 500 people have signed the petition against the choice. For her it’s a clear choice to keep Kinsmen Play Village.
Both Hansen and Soucy argue the old area is perfect for parents with children under five. Both of their families won’t be able to use PotashCorp Playland until their children are older, rendering the space unusable until then.
“The new playground is nice, but it doesn’t render the old playground obsolete,” said Hansen, “Rather than closing this playground, it should be re-opened and the money that was allocated towards its demolition be transferred instead to purchase a new play structure for Caswell Hill.”
Hansen will be presenting her case to the planning, development and community service committee of city council on July 18.
But according to the city – not much can be done at this point.
“We already have signed contracts with construction contractors in two locations,” Lacroix said. “We are in full process and they’re expected to begin work early next week.”
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