Basketball Courts and Park Area
- As part of the First Place Housing Project on the west side of the Greenview school, the 6 basketball courts had to be removed in 2008 with the City of Edmonton agreeing to replace these on other parkland on the Greenview site but was not anticipated to be done until 2009. The court size is planned to be the same size as was in place before the move (6 courts).
- The city had done preliminary work on possible locations for the relocation of the courts and has provided two locations: one being north of the Greenview school and immediately west of the Activity Centre, and the other being north of the large playground and closer towards the burm and sidewalk along the east side of the park area.
- A committee from the Woodvale Community League Board along with representatives from the Greenview School PAC has been recently meeting to review the proposals and informally talk to parents with students at the school. Information was also provided at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to the Woodvale Community on April 21, 2009 on where the basketball court issue was sitting and invited additional comments from attendees. The recommendation was for the area north of the playground as this was most visible from 38 Ave whereas the area north of the school was more hidden and could be prone to vandalism etc.
- Filed the Notice of Intent paperwork with the city on April 27 re a detailed site plan along with our current recommendation being the area north of the large playground and for completion by the fall of 2009. Requested that the detailed site plan be completed in May 2009.
- With the Notice of Intent, we asked that 2 of the 6 basketball court hoops be for younger children (similar to the courts at the Hillview site).
- As part of the park redesign the initial comments from the committee and those attending the AGM indicated the following items to be considered in the park as part of the Notice of Intent:
- To relook at drainage issues on the park area to improve the situation for the playground area and other parts of the park.
- With the basketball courts to ensure garbage receptacles are added as well as look at a concrete picnic table nearby for sitting (less vandalism with concrete).
- Re-landscaping aspects as may be required in conjunction with new basketball courts.
- To include walking trails that are paved into the park area from both the east sidewalk to the basketball court area along with similar walkways from the west sidewalk (next to the Millwood’s United Church and north of the new housing area through park areas. These trails could also be used for rollerblading and skateboarding etc.
- With the large playground to be up for revamping within 5 years, to look at including a smaller child version along with regular size equipment.
- At the same time as the Notice of Intent was filed with the City, on April 30 letters were delivered to 17 houses that immediately back onto the proposed basketball site outlining the proposals and attaching postage paid response forms for any concerns etc. to be returned by May 15, 2009. Also that questions etc. could be raised at the May 19 Community League monthly board meeting.
- In early May the City Parks area began their site assessment as requested. During this activity, questions were received from residents that had received the letter of their concerns to the proposed location. The Parks area relooked at the site area and proposed a 3rd site, which was north of the Activity Centre and immediately west of the area where the temporary skating rink is constructed each winter (west of the large rink).
- A second letter was then delivered on May 7 to the 17 houses backing onto the playground skating rink area to the east of the Greenview site outlining a change to the proposed site and reasons why. Again a prepaid form was attached for any concerns and that to return the forms by May 15 and again that they could also attend the May 19 monthly board meeting.
- In total 6 responses were received from the April 30 letter and 4 responses from the May 7 letter. Four residents also attended the May board meeting to outline any concerns they still had with the proposals. In the end consensus was reached with the attendees re why the 3rd site was the only workable solution. At the same time the following changes were made to the original Notice of Intent to the city.
- That 4 basketball posts be at 7 foot heights and the 2 end posts be at the 8 foot heights, with no 10 foot posts going in; the intention is for older youths/adults to use the courts at Hillview Park. This information was forwarded back to the Parks area.
- A review will also be made on security issues for the site as well as looking into adding a lockable but removable post in the gateway at the north end of the parking lot by the Activity Centre to prevent vehicles from leaving the parking lot (residents asked about a chain across this area as had at one time been used, but access is required to the Activity Centre both daytime and in the evenings for different groups using the premises and is not feasible). This review is ongoing with the City of Edmonton Police Department.
- Additional paved walking trails through the park area are on hold at this time until a full park assessment is made as to long term usage plans for residents. This will require active participation by residents of Woodvale to develop a plan for the overall area.
- The City Park’s area is still working on rebuilding the 6 basketball courts in the summer of 2009 and expects to be finished by the fall. They will also be adding in 2 backless benches between the basketball courts and the temporary skating rink area so that these can be used for both recreation areas as required.
