The city of Williams Lake is moving ahead an application to create a park in the downtown at their March 12 council meeting,.
Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) has applied to the city for rezoning of 98 Third Avenue South to park, recreation and open space in order to allow for a proposed park. WLFN owns the lot.
An application was made to the city on behalf of WLFN by BENCH Site Design Inc., naming the proposed new park as WLFN Memorial Park, which will commemorate WLFN’s village claim win and the history of the Nation’s territory and people.
The application said it will be a “grounding place for healing, teaching, and reconciliation” meant to be welcoming and inviting to all.
Preliminary design drawings show an amphitheatre, seating, lawn areas, public art and sculpture memorial features, lighting and tree and shrub plantings.
“I just want to say how cool of a project this is by Williams Lake First Nation, providing some beautification for our downtown,” said Coun. Michael Moses.
Coun Joan Flaspohler also commended WLFN on taking steps to beautify the community and Mayor Surinderpal Rathor celebrated the proposal as another opportunity for the city to work collaboratively with WLFN.
Coun. Scott Nelson expressed some reservation as he said he believes the city has a land shortage of commercial land in the area but he supports the addition of an “element of openness in that area.”
A report by staff notes the proposed park would support the downtown core and help maintain a safe environment for pedestrians and attract more people to the area, increasing the eyes on the street throughout different times of the day.
The lot is currently vacant and zoned for town centre commercial.
City council passed the first and second readings of the proposed zoning bylaw unanimously and set a public hearing date for April 9, 2024 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
