To the Editor:
This is a follow up to my letter of July 18 … maintaining history in a park setting in Sharman’s Landing Park.
After almost one year, this project is nearing completion. The Parks Department has had ample time to consider the purpose and location of this project. This structure is a replacement for the previous in-ground access to the Saugeen River which had existed for years, passing through Sharman’s Landing Park on Saugeen Street in Southampton.
This small park is no larger in area, than a standard Saugeen Shores home building lot. The park landscape consists of trees and natural vegetation complete with a river viewing bench.
The new fabricated walkway is five feet wide, averaging nine feet high above grade which is more suited for an industrial setting. Unfortunately, going by the still exposed foundations, they still have more steel to add to this monstrosity, already with 34 stair treads to climb.
The Town, with some grading, could have followed their own example of an in-ground access, as shown below. This shows the access to Fairy Lake from Grey Street, passing through a similar park setting and that was completed by the Saugeen First Nation dry stone-wallers.
I have spoken with most of our neighbours living adjacent to the park. Many are of the unfortunate opinion, that the new structure is ugly and over designed, spoiling the natural setting of the park … I also received some unsolicited negative feedback from two yacht club members, moored in the river, adjacent to the park.
The view of the river scene, enjoyed by the young family, now living in the original Sharman home is also now partially blocked by this unfortunate structure.
What was the cost for engineering, site clearing, foundations, fabrication and installation?
