Unapproved playground gets summertime reprieve in Mundare

BY JOHN MATHER

A Mundare Whitetail

Point family has been given a reprieve to clean up an adjacent area where the have created a rustic play area for their kids, and other kids from the neighbourhood.

The Derrow family had received a couple of letters from the Town asking them to clean up some unsightly messes on or near their home.

They came to a regular council meeting early in June to ask about the letters.

One regarded several pallets which the family said were developing into planters.

“What is the nature of the actual complaint … what is unsightly?” asked Derrow.

Mundare Chief Administrative Officer said there was some concerns that the pallets and some of the play structures built on land behind the home were causing some drainage issues which could affect other landowners.

“There is some stuff in there that could affect water flow and we had a couple of complaints about that,” he said. “He then added while it was a subjective issue there was an appeal period where the issue could be brought before council.

Derrow said he was willing to defer to the

Town’s decision of what was unsightly and he would remove the planters.

“They are disassembled and just waiting for someone to come and pick them up and haul them away,” said Derrow.

He agreed they weren’t on his property.

He then expressed concerns about the children’s play area.

“My next question is about the sandbox. Why is it unsightly.

Derrow said he had put some two by fours up and dumped some sand in for the kids to play in.

“It’s not really visible from the road,” said Derrow. “There are four families that paid for the sand to go in the box about 10 years ago. Lots of kids have played there.”

Again it was pointed out the play area wasn’t on the Derrow’s property but on an empty lot adjacent.

He added he wasn’t sure who owned the property and assumed someone other than the real owner had owned the lot.

Zyla said there was some liability concerns about the play area being on their property.

He added the back of the property had a 20foot easement for munic- ipal drainage.

There are also some trees on the easement and Derrow is concerned about the chances of the trees being removed.

“If anyone builds back there they will take the trees out and we bought under the allusion those trees would be staying. If they get removed I’ll be miffed,” he said.

Zyla said the area structure plan never made the area a green space, so the trees could be removed.

Derrow then said he didn’t feel the play area impeded drainage, and would appeal the complaint.

“Nothing that the kids have there is permanent and I don’t think it impedes any drainage,” stated Derrow.

He said in the spring the water ponds but quickly dries up as the weather improves.

He felt if the pay area was impeding drainage he would remove the structure, but he didn’t feel it was.

Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu asked if they had ever had complaints from the neighbours.

Derrow replied they hadn’t. He said it was hidden and lots of neighbourhood kids came and played on the swings and other things that had been created over the years.

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He said he had put a small zip line in and other neighbourhood kids came around.

“It’s just slowly evolved over time as a space to let the kids play,” he said.

He agreed when the leaves dropped in winter, the area may be judged unsightly but in the summer when the leaves were out the area was invisible.

He said he could clean the area up for the fall if that would appease council.

Councillor Irene Talaga said the Town had to act on the complaint.

“I haven’t been out to see it,” she said. “But I know kids like to build things, and I have grandchildren who do that. They like to play in the bush where they live.”

Everyone agreed the area wasn’t visible from the road.

Council initially deferred on the issue until they visited the area. At their second meeting of the month Zyla stated the land owner had been sent a letter about the unsightly property concerns and had sent an email and council had to make a decision.

Zyla admitted he should have sent a letter to the landowner when he first sent the letter to the Derrow family.

Mayor Calinoiu said she had gone to view the area and couldn’t find the area initially. She did drive around to the back and still couldn’t find it and had to ask where the play area was.

“But that was during the summer. In the winter when there’s no leaves it would be a different story.

“I don’t see a problem. It’s kids and when I was a kid we built things growing up.

Councillor Rick Patrie, who does live in the area and is aware of the play area, said some residents were concerned ...

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