By Al Lubkowsk,
Land-Use Director, Camosum Community Association
Article from Camosum Community Association March 2008 Newsletter. To download the complete newletter please click here.

During the workshops held last year, we heard that "educational uses" for the Richmond School property should be considered of highest importance to the community. Furthermore, that non-school uses or development on the north-east side should be permitted only on the condition that new buildings and uses will not compromise the property for future educational or community use.

We also developed a vision that these lands be held in trust for future school and community needs, so that the community is assured of their availability when required. Our position so far is that School Board 61 forego selling this property in favor of short term leasing. And any lease must not be permitted to compromise residents' use of the open space surrounding, nor their access to any publicly designated open space on either side of Bowker Creek.

We further propose that protection and enhancement of Bowker Creek, as a wildlife and recreational resource must be central to any use of these lands. Accordingly, any strategies which would tap the potential of this creek and adjoining lands for creatively combining flood control with wildlife conservation and passive recreation would be a bold and imaginative feature for any such Plan. One imaginative concept might be to introduce an oxbow lake and wild land adjacent this water feature. This implies that an environmental buffer of sufficient width is applied to whatever alignment is eventually achieved for Bowker Creek, and that wildlife be made an important priority and focus.

We recognize that Richmond School lands provide an important source of open space, recreation and informal walking opportunities for its residents, especially in linking the areas surrounding. Accordingly, these trails and Bowker Bridge must be protected and enhanced by the development of a linear parkway which would offer added opportunities for walking and biking. It would be grand if a plan could be
developed which would incorporate these paths with adjacent green spaces such as the Spirit Gardens park adjacent.

Under the direction of the CCA and the North Jubilee Association, we intend to strike a Richmond School Development Advisory Group, whose intention will be to develop a Land Use Plan for Richmond School lands which would meet the expressed needs and expectations of area residents. This Plan should be completed well before the school is vacated by Margaret Jenkins. At our public meeting on April 17th, we will ask for a mandate for our Vision for these School Lands and for an Advisory Group to further refine and to implement it. If you are serious about protecting these
school lands, come out and support this effort.