Conkle Mountain officially a park

Popular recreation area received plaque in 2006 despite agricultural zoning

Conkle Mountain is now officially recognized as a park.

The new park is comprised of eight separate parcels of municipally owned land located on the north side of the mountain.

Council on Monday unanimously approved changing the Official Community Plan designation from open land agriculture to parks and the zoning from agriculture and forestry grazing to parks and recreation.

The designation was basically a housekeeping matter, as explained by director of development services Ian McIntosh.

In 2004, the council wished to designate Conkle Mountain as a park in the OCP.

“However, no actual bylaw was ever brought forward. Regardless, there was a ceremony and installation of a plaque in 2006,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh also assured concerned members of the public that the current multi-use of the mountain would be continued.

“At its last meeting, council passed a resolution directing staff to not enforce park bylaws in relation to horseback riding, dog walking and bicycle riding because these activities are historically accepted uses of the area,” he said.

Conkle Mountain is a popular recreation area, and its use of considerable concern — as evidenced by the full house at the public hearing held at the start of Monday’s meeting.

Issues raised by 10 speakers included compatibility of the various user groups, construction of trails not approved by the municipality and maintenance and prevention of erosion of trails.

These issues regarding trails will be more appropriately discussed when dealing with the parks and recreation master plan, chief administrative officer Linda Tynan said later in the meeting when council was considering comments from the public hearing.

“There is nothing that can be done to set it (multiuse policy) in stone. Things can always be changed,” Tynan said in response to a question during the public hearing.

“Tonight concerns designation only. On Dec. 12th we’ll be bringing a dedication bylaw forward. That is as close to being set in stone you can get,” McIntosh said.

Dedication is the most powerful tool because it can only be undone by the electorate, he explained.

Coun. Erin Trainer thanked the members of the public who wrote letters and attended the hearing.

“We do read everything you send. It’s obvious you really want to protect this area we all care about so much,” she said.