I’m not particularly thrilled about losing trees in Winskill Park. I understand and appreciate some of the public outrage on the issue. Personally, as I have noted on social media, I have 22 years of dog walking memories in this forest, and I will savour them.
I am, however, excited for the public to benefit from the brand-new amenities that Winskill will offer after its reconfiguration.
When the OCP was a hot button issue earlier in the year, detractors for the implied density would cite the lack of infrastructure needed to prepare for that density in our communities.
The Winskill redo, despite the trade-offs that had to be made, is an example of providing infrastructure for an increasing population.
On local social media, many of the people who have been rallying for the need for infrastructure before density and population growth occur are the very same ones who are rallying against this project that is preparing for it.
This is the paradox of social media in that it can be useful in spreading information but equally dangerous in properly disseminating it to avoid nurturing unsubstantiated rumour and generating emotional angst.
I get that trees are a sensitive topic - for several reasons - and I concur with many of them. In the context of infrastructure, I also understand how this was a tough call by council, and I will live with it.
The local political skepticism we are currently living with is obvious for several reasons as we all know. The malcontents among us are calling for change and rallying for political alternatives in the next municipal election in 2026.
That opportunity will come, and those that are brave enough to make consequential decisions and have the resources to make a run for mayor and council will saddle up for the ride next election - and good on them!
In the meantime, our governors need to make decisions based on far more evidence than you and I have the time to digest. When we elect our representatives, we must embrace a certain amount of trust, lest chaos prevail.
Despite good intentions, attempting to overturn council decisions with petitions and social media rhetoric after the fact is an optimistic approach at best. Let our governors govern.
