Friends of Laurie Park has government officials listening

It seems government officials are listening to the people they serve after all.
While many people believe the notion that government does exactly what it wants without a concern to whom it affects, something that could be attributed to many issues, that definitely doesn’t seem to be the case when it comes to the redevelopment plans for Laurie Park, in Grand Lake.
Following a very emotional, anger-filled public information meeting Jan. 14, where the plans the Department of Natural Resources have for the 40-year-old park didn’t sit too well with those in attendance.
At the meeting, the DNR officials presented a plan that would see the 71 campsites at the park re-distributed throughout the 26-hectare park, an amphitheatre built, new cooking stations, two new look-offs and new washroom facilities built. It was clear to everyone in attendance these changes would see the elimination of day-use at the park upon the work’s completion, in time for the opening in 2011.
In the days that followed, a group of residents formed what they call the Friends of Laurie Park. Their aim is to work with DNR on the redevelopment plan, which will cost $2.6 million and force it to be closed this summer season. But, they’re also there to ensure day-use has a presence and isn’t scrapped.
The group went live with their website, www.savelauriepark.ca, a facebook fan page and twitter feed. They were spreading the word on the issue, whether it was through campaigns at local business, posters or even handing out petitions and comment forms at the park itself, braving the cold, chilly weather during the weekends.
The response was so great that even HRM District 2 Councillor, Barry Dalrymple, who has no say or control over what happens to the provincially-owned park, received more than 200 e-mails and even a few letters which were dropped off at his home.
A meeting between Dalrymple and Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank NDP MLA Percy Paris, also the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, resulted in both agreeing they were on the same page. Paris relayed to Dalrymple he would be voicing his concerns to the Minister of Natural Resources, Hants East NDP MLA John MacDonell.
He did that as did the many residents who, reportedly, inundated MacDonell’s constituency office in Enfield and Halifax office with phone calls, e-mails and letters fighting to have day-use remain at the park.
In an interview with this newspaper, MacDonell said it was never his intention to see day-use at the park eliminated. He also said when he was presented with the presentation he never interpreted the plan as doing exactly that. Unless he was given a different presentation, it was quite clear in the presentation that’s exactly what was going to happen.
Harold Carroll told The Laker in an interview after the meeting that DNR got the feedback they were looking for, but that it may not have been in the fashion they expected. What other type of reaction would you expect from loyal users of Laurie Park, who all heard the same thing - that once the redevelopment was completed there would be no room for traditional day-use as it is now?
While there is still a lot of work to be done, and another meeting to be held to discuss the new re-development plans, it seems things are moving along nicely. Let’s just hope it stays that way and government will work with the volunteer group, organized by Judy Young and Susan Morash, to see that the natural beauty of Laurie Park and its use remains open for all.
In the end, government officials involved will likely take credit for the change of heart, when in reality the change is a result of a never-give-up group called the Friends of Laurie Park.