County discusses parks and open space areas bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council discussed a drafted Parks and Open Space Areas bylaw during the May 6 regular meeting.

The drafted bylaw was introduced to the Committee of the Whole, Nov. 19, for review and feedback. At the time, county administration was directed to revise the bylaw, obtain a legal review, and bring the draft to a future meeting of council.

Primarily, the bylaw aims to create a positive recreation experience for patrons, as well as to ensure safe, well-managed open spaces. Changes to the drafted bylaw were to improve clarity of language and purpose, and the scope of its jurisdiction.

The Parks and Open Space Areas bylaw draft was written from directions provided to county administration by the Severn Creek Dam Recreation Area Camping report, which had been presented before the Committee of the Whole on Aug. 20. 

Leasing options for Crown land with a focus on minimal management approaches were also discussed by the committee. 

Implementation of the Parks and Open Space Areas bylaw was deemed necessary should the county decide to pursue leasing arrangements for the Crown lands at Severn Creek Dam in the future. 

Reeve Amber Link inquired councils’ thoughts towards the prohibition of drone use outlined in the bylaw, acknowledging the activity as a hobby for which it is often challenging to be able to find places where operation is allowed. 

Link suggested she was open to permitting drone use with limitations such as size and including provisions within the bylaw for the consideration of people’s privacy.

“I like the way it is written because 12.1 says ‘unless prior written approval has been attained by the CAO,’ so if somebody is taking a drone camping, they are doing it with the express willingness to operate it, they should get permission first,” said Coun. Glenn Koester. “If the CAO does not condone it or maybe there is a space where he can go, he can explain himself, the CAO can approve it and it is a done deal, otherwise you are not allowed to fly a drone over top of my house, why would we allow it to fly over somebody else’s campsite? That is disrespectful.”

As addressed in the bylaw, camping will only be allowed in a designated area after a patron pays the applicable fees. For campsites that have historically been free to use, such as in Gleichen, the idea is for them to continue to be so. 

First reading of the bylaw was approved by council, and administration was directed to bring a follow up report to council at a future meeting.