Victoria Park's future in hands of Halifax firm

The City of Charlottetown is paying almost $90,000 for a comprehensive plan for the future of Victoria Park.

Halifax-based Ekistics Planning & Design won the bid to design the plan for Victoria Park, which is considered one of the most valuable open spaces in the city,

There are similarities between Victoria Park and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, said the firm's director of planning, Jill Robertson.

"We're also looking at other parks. There's a Victoria Park in Truro, High Park in Toronto, even Stanley Park. These are all these key urban parks that are really high profile for their communities. And there's lessons there that may be applicable to the Charlottetown context," said Robertson.

The challenge will be to find a balance between active and passive uses for the 40-acre park, said Robertson.

Victoria Park is not just an anchor for the Charlottetown waterfront, but for the whole city, and that will be reflected in the plan, she said.

The city wants a plan that is both environmentally and financially sustainable, said Robertson.

Public consultations are expected to begin in March.

"Whether you're just a casual user of the park or a ball player or a potter, or someone who has a specific use there, there's nobody we don't want to hear from, we want to hear from absolutely everybody," said Robertson.

A final report should be before city council by June.

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