The City of Prince George has now released the draft of its new Official Community Plan (OCP) and contains many elements that will affect Ginter’s Green, for good and for bad, according to the group Ginter’s Green Forever.
“The Massey Drive extension and part of the Foothills Boulevard to Ferry Ave have been removed,” said Jenn Matthews, organizer with Ginter’s Green Forever, in a news release. “This is excellent news for the Ginter’s Green meadow area, but it doesn’t make the area a park or guarantee that development on the escarpment won’t threaten Ginter’s in the future.”
The draft OCP still contains a Foothills Boulevard extension to 22nd Avenue. James Steidle of Ginter’s Green Forever explains why that’s a huge problem for Ginter’s Green.
“Ginter’s is special in that it’s one of the only, possibly the only, well maintained paved and forested nature trail, making nature accessible to everyone in Prince George. We cannot overstate how important it is for everyone to have access to nature in Prince George.”
Dr. Annie Booth (UNBC), adds: “Many cities in Canada wish they had made greater efforts to preserve their greenspace before poorly thought through development eliminated an important public amenity. It is not too late for Prince George to make thoughtful choices to protect greenspace now.”
Extending Foothills to 22nd Avenue also makes questionable sense from a traffic and a neighbourhood perspective, said Matthews.
“The land-use plans for that area are almost exclusively ‘parks and open spaces’. There is just no need for a road there. Not to mention that both 15th and 18th Avenues are already equipped to handle higher levels of traffic, and both include turn signals off of Ospika. Twenty-Second Ave also comes off of a blind corner on Ospika.” she said.
Residents have until Friday, November 22, 2024 to give feedback on the draft OCP. They can do so by filling out the survey on the city’s website or by getting a paper copy from the city. People can also give specific feedback by emailing ocp@princegeorge.ca. Ginter’s Green Forever is also suggesting folks send feedback to city councilors, who will be voting on the final OCP: mayorandcouncil@princegeorge.ca. Ginter’s Green Forever can be found on facebook and instagram.