I have to express accolades to the City of Red Deer and other local organizations regarding some of their (latest) endeavours.
I believe the enlarged street name signage that is a lot more apparent may have stemmed from a B.C. couple submitting requests for such improvements after they visited our fine city previous summers. Also, credit extraordinaire is extended to the Primary Care Network for the outdoor gyms they’re facilitating around the city.
Of course the Kinsmen Club’s Discovery Canyon is a unique and impressive undertaking. Rotary Park, Heritage Ranch and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame are some gem finds too. As well, the newly created Bower Ponds playground area is also a real draw. Kudos to our central location and river valley; not to mention the many trails and greenery embedded within the area.
However, I contacted the City of Red Deer Parks and Recreation department six years ago, regarding a water spray park (not a fountain pool like is found west of Alexander Way). Personnel from City Hall’s maintenance department were on board for a decade previous to my attempt in 2004 to have one and felt Kin Canyon would be more amenable, which makes sense since piping is already installed for the rock sprinkler.
Nonetheless, the powers that be said a water spray park was part of their five-year plan and was for the Bower Ponds vicinity. After the playground feature took place at Bower Ponds last year, it was believed that the water spray park would end up at Kin Canyon after all.
Unfortunately it was noted following a redevelopment meeting for that park, this past June, that that was not to occur in the near future once again.
I appreciate cutbacks and financial fine-tuning but can’t understand how virtually every other vicinity in the country (including Whitehorse and much more northern dwellings — plus Penhold, Blackfalds, Innisfail, etc.) are able to garner funds/grants to put such a play space in place. At this rate it would be my grandkids who would enjoy the amenities of a water playground but still feel Red Deer should have one somewhere within its limits.
Lastly, a lot of press was geared toward the Riverlands and the redevelopment of such a prime area. Gaetz Avenue is undergoing a revitalization as well and yet nothing concrete has been noted as draw for tourists to experience Red Deer’s downtown.
Kim Lewis, an interior designer who writes a column for our other local newspaper, featured a piece Paint the door red for a big welcome a while back.
What another great, cost-efficient suggestion for our city’s core. We could have a “Red Door District” within good ol’ Red Deer instead of an oversized red deer like many townships with names based on animals have.
Not that such a statue has been noted to my knowledge as a possibility for Red Deer but after the “Three Mile Bend beaver” made national news, Beaverlodge’s beaver came to mind. (Not to mock Mac the moose in Moose Jaw as they already have extensive downtown features in Little Chicago and have put themselves on the map as a tourist destination second to none.)
Definitely City Hall Park and the Ghost statues are delightful but why not tie all we have together by incorporating red doors as much as possible since they would definitely signify welcoming which is what most tourists and locals are looking for, is it not?
Bree Crossman
Red Deer