Don’t go overboard

We understand where the Protect Penticton Parks Society is coming from with its request to install a sort of memorial plaque in Skaha Lake Park, but it seems like a bit of overkill.

In the fight to save the park from commercialization, the society scored three decisive victories.

First, it rallied enough support to scare off Trio Marine Group and have it and city council abandon plans for a waterslides development in the park.

Second, it helped develop the suite of bylaws and other protections pursuant to the new Parks and Recreation Master Plan – and even helped write the plan itself.

Third, it ousted Andrew Jakubeit from the mayor’s chair and helped elect a more parks-friendly council. Mission accomplished. To now put up a plaque — especially with the proposed wording — would be like rubbing salt in the wound.

Were a tourist to happen upon the plaque, he might think people had given their lives or shed blood in the effort when that wasn’t the case.

Yes, it was a tumultuous time in the city’s history and the efforts of 5,100 people aren’t to be dismissed, but a special plaque isn’t the way to do it.

One could argue an equally defining moment in the city’s history was the 1991 riot, yet we don’t commemorate that in any special way.

What happened at Skaha Lake Park must not be forgotten, but it would best be remembered with a regular in-memoriam bench plaque sponsored by the society. The kind you find in any other park.

It would make a nice one-two punch alongside the bench dedicated to the late Nelson Meikle, whose work on the parks file helped chase Trio Marine Group from Skaha Marina, too.

Keep any tribute to the Skaha Park battle simple