Residents from the Braeside neighbourhood believe park rangers, signs and parking areas will help address crime problems in the area.
The neighbourhood has been working with the city for more than a year to curtail partying and vandalism in Red Willow Park. Representatives from Braeside gave council a progress update on Monday.
“To cut to the chase, there’s been less disturbances, the park is in good condition, families are starting to come back and wildlife is starting to come back,” area spokesman Collin Steffes said. “If it looks desirable, people will treat it desirably.”
As part of his presentation, Steffes said the group’s work over the last year has helped improve conditions in the area and improved the look and respect for the area. In the past, Braeside residents had approached council about issues with underage drinking and loud parties in the park, graffiti and fires.
However, the group’s report also contained issues the group asked the city to address. Among them was the recommendation the city hire park rangers to look after the local green space across from St. Albert Centre. Although there is progress, Steffes said some of the problems in there are still ongoing.
“We feel that [police enforcement] needs to be more frequent,” he said. “In the long term, we see this as a need — full-time staff, in the park, on a full-time basis.”
Another issue the neighbourhood group brought to light was the lack of street lighting on some of the side streets in the summer. Steffes said that as a result of thickened tree foliage, many of the streetlights are not as effective as they could be if the poles were shorter.
Coun. James Burrows asked administration if it was possible for public works to prune the leaves, adding that it would help residents and pedestrians in the area feel safer.
“I’m reaching out to administration to see if they can prune some of these trees,” Burrows said.
Steffes told council the group wants signs posted in the park encouraging people not to litter and to treat the park with respect, using a photo of a Crime Stoppers sign as an example. Mayor Nolan Crouse asked if there was a way the group could find more positive signs, instead of ones that he found discouraging.
“Yes, we do intend to use more positive language,” said Steffes.
Steffes said the group was also exploring the idea of no-parking signs in areas near the park. He said the working group is now looking at shifting focus from a reactionary position to one that is more long-term.
Coun. Gareth Jones later commended the group for their work, saying it was an example of what could happen when people with a common goal come together and work to create change.
“It’s a really good example of what can happen with collaboration with communities, police and the city.”
