County passes Parks and Open Space Areas Bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council reviewed the draft of the Parks and Open Space Areas Bylaw during the June 3 regular meeting, with recommendations from administration to approve amendments as presented. 

The bylaw had previously been discussed during the May 6 regular meeting. At that time, administration had been requested to address penalties, camping fees and free areas, unmanned aerial vehicles, and designated areas before returning the bylaw before council. 

Information included regarding drone use suggested that smaller devices could be allowed in designated areas such as the Sever Dam and potentially the Gleichen Reservoir site. It was suggested that designated drone use areas be indicated on the county website. 

Coun. Glenn Koester expressed opposition to drone use being allowed at the Sever Dam, stating due to its significant traffic, people would not appreciate seeing drones there. 

“I am not in favour of drones. That is a busy place and I do not think people who are going there would appreciate drones. I know they have to be 100 feet away but … to me it is a bad place,” he said. 

Koester requested during the discussion that council remove the approval of drones at the Sever Dam from the bylaw. 

Coun. Scott Klassen posed a question to council whether the county had the direct authority to prohibit drone use in a public space. In order to explore this, the bylaw would have had to be presented again before council at a later date.

Drones which are weighted under 250 grams do not require licensing in order to operate as a pedestrian or hobbyist. Those weighing in above that threshold do require licensing in order to operate.

Clarification was also provided that cooking would be allowed in all park sites, though not necessarily along the side of the road. Clear designations for this would also be annotated on the county website. 

Regarding animal at large penalties listed in the fee schedule, this was clarified to fall under existing animal control bylaws maintained by the county. 

Administration also clarified during the discussion, the legality and regulation of cannabis consumption in public spaces is comparable to liquor laws and is governed very similarly.

Maximum fines, penalties, and imprisonment contingencies outlined in the bylaw were clarified to effectively be a deterrent from violating the bylaw and largely are not exercised unless observed by repeat offenders.

The bylaw does provide tools to address consumption in public park spaces, especially when children are present. 

Motions put forward to approve second and third readings by Coun. Klassen and Coun. Rick Laursen, respectively, were both approved by council.