Parks group wants plaque at Skaha Lake

The Protect Penticton Parks Society will be approaching council on Tuesday with what may be its final request: a commemorative plaque to be placed on a boulder in Skaha Park to pay tribute to the battle fought over the site.

The rock in question sits near the area that was once threatened with Trio Marine Group’s commercial waterslides development.

“Ultimately, it’s up to city council to approve it,” Lisa Martin, PPPS director and spokeswoman, said Sunday. “But really it’s to commemorate the efforts of 5,112 people who came together and spoke as one voice.”

The purpose of the plaque isn’t meant to stick it to council in any sense, added Martin, but rather serve as a way of remembering the impact that a community can have when it rallies together and pushes back against something it believes is wrong.

“We’re hoping (council) sees it the way we do,” said Martin. “I really think the situation warrants something.”

Penticton’s newest city council has two members who held seats during the last term and supported the waterslides.

Martin hopes that council will support the placement of the plaque and said that the society, which has always been reasonable, is open to council’s suggestions of tweaking — to a point — the wording if deemed necessary.

The society’s annual general meeting will be held on Nov. 29, and if no volunteers step in to continue the society’s work, the group may fold.

Martin has said, however, that with the city’s adoption of a new Parks and Recreation Plan, bylaws, and a planning committee, the parks are in better place than in 2015. The proposed wording of the plaque reads: “This special place of peace and beauty was threatened with commercial development in June 2015.

“Led by Save Skaha Park Society, with 5,112 members, citizens united with one clear voice. We argued relentlessly against disposition of public parkland without voter approval.

“In January 2017 the park was saved when Council settled with the developer.

“We must protect, preserve and promote our public parks for the benefit of all.

“Let us always remain vigilant.”