Sudbury

Lively's 6th Avenue park stays in Greater Sudbury's hands

Nobody showed up at a planning committee meeting Monday night to speak against the sale of the Lively Playground in Sudbury, but that didn't stop the council from voting to keep the playground in city hands.
Ward 4 Greater Sudbury city councillor and planning committee member Evelyn Dutrisac says citizens are the ultimate decision-makers, and they spoke loud and clear about the park in Lively. (Yvon Theriault/Radio-Canada)

Nobody showed up at a planning committee meeting Monday night to speak against the sale of the Lively Playground in Sudbury, but that didn't stop the council from voting to keep the playground in city hands.

The city received letters both for and against the proposed sale.

Planning committee member Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac said citizens are the ultimate decision-makers and that those against the sale spoke the loudest.

"I think every issue, every land or every building that has to be sold, has to have consultation in our communities," she said.

The city has been under pressure to raise $1 million in revenue by selling off excess properties.

But, Dutrisac said the city should protect park land and sell buildings instead, and has a list of unused buildings for sale — buildings council will have to consider moving forward.

Public objections to the sale of a park in the Lively neighbourhood of Sudbury have saved it. (Google)