Editor: It鈥檚 unclear to me what drives city planning. In a day when it鈥檚 clear that what parents struggle with is both time with their children and giving them a reason to be off line, why would the Township choose to increase isolation?
We are, after all, still rearing our future, no?
With the advent of the smart phone, mass access to the internet and the evolution of video games, children鈥檚 hungry minds need to be feed with more than playful distractions, and their bodies need to be developed physically 鈥� we all have heard the tragic stats and laments of children and our future fitness level.
So, it begs the question, who initiated, approved and later completed installation of the tennis courts at the park on 199 Street and 70 Avenue? I鈥檓 local, so I see that park and the subculture it鈥檚 developing.
People, both male and female, aged five to 45 hit the (now tennis) courts daily to play hockey. Street hockey, roller hockey, find a stick, and join, it鈥檚 only Canada鈥檚 sport.
I have observed as many as 13 people at any given time on the (now) tennis court side.
When the park was completed, before the courts were installed, the hockey net fairy arrived with a crummy 鈥� but usable 鈥� net, and the sticks and children arrived. So, too, later did another net, and later a repaired net. We all know how the story goes 鈥� build it, they will come.
But now that space is designated for two people, specifically two tennis players. There is, another tennis net about 1.5 kms away, that has been there for years. (It鈥檚 been available for use every time I have been there, except once).
How many times have you driven down a road and had the kids playing tennis need a minute to move the net over?
I am yet to have this experience, but hockey 鈥� it鈥檚 a whole different level. It鈥檚 everywhere.
I鈥檓 not hating on tennis, but can we not at least develop a retracting tennis net so that the hockey gods may again try their hand at an afternoon of mixing, mingling and doing what young Canadian boys and girls have been doing since the dawn of the sport?
Who thought making room for two people to play tennis was the most appropriate use of that space?
Colleen Crawford,
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