Midland Today welcomes letters to the editor. They can be sent to [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication).
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(Editor's note: This letter was also sent to Midland's mayor, deputy mayor and council members in response to a recent story in MidlandToday regarding an inflatable waterpark.)
Based on the report submitted, the inflatable waterpark and the additional required temporary structures and additional required parking for the estimated additional visitors of 6,800 in a very limited operational time frame ( possibly 3 months of operations and which is based on the provided estimated annual revenue) Little Lake Park IS NOT the location for this business venture.
The appropriate location for this business venture which has been approved would be Midland's commercial waterfront.
I am 78 years old and have never known or seen a child or young adult bored while swimming at a lake creating their own enjoyable games and fun. For those who require outside 'manufactured' fun and entertainment I agree the inflatable waterpark would be helpful and those using it, in my opinion, would not care a 'hoot' about the location.
I read that Midland Council's decision for allowing this business venture in Little Lake Park was to attract more swimmers to the lake.
It appears the users of the water park would have to swim back and forth to the structure but then are required to wear life jackets in the event of falling into the water....not my definition of 'swimmers.'
Midland is very unique in that it has two locations for outside activities...Little Lake and the Midland Bay waterfront. These two locations are very distinct and separate.
Little Lake Park - what a place of serenity and old natural beauty which presently has many non-commercial activities which are in harmony with the Park itself...i.e. dog walkers, cyclists, hikers, runners, tennis players, paddle boarders, kayakers, community garden, dog park, families enjoying picnics, swimmers, etc. etc.
And the non-human occupants of the Lake....imagine being able to listen to the enchanting, haunting call of a loon in the middle of a town in southern Ontario!
Georgian Bay - beautiful Georgian Bay...on which is located Midland's downtown waterfront...is a commercial location for all the folks who enjoy that atmosphere.
I, respectfully, request that you take the time to consider how allowing an out-of-town business owner access to Little Lake Park for his business operations will destroy the serenity, charm, character and 'feeling' of Little Lake Park.
Words cannot convey what one truly feels and personally experiences, but the current users of the park know of which I speak.
Irene Roche,
Midland
