What makes Summerland a Great Place to Live?
The Smart Growth Workshop on Wednesday 25th was a great success, thanks to the help and guidance from Tom Lancaster of SmartGrowthBC, a lot of volunteer work by the Board of the Association, and the ten volunteer facilitators. Many thanks to everyone.
It was both encouraging and refreshing to see our new Mayor David Gregory and Councillors Bennest, Waterman and Finnis participating along with their fellow citizens. Several senior staff members from Municipal Hall also attended and their presence was very much appreciated by the participants.
The first Question was "What makes Summerland a great place to live?" Answers from all five workshops were compiled into one master list. The participants were given 5 votes each to prioritise the great things about Summerland.
NOTE: Don't make the mistake of assuming that only the items that received high votes are important. They are ALL important - that is why participants raised them in the first place - but when forced to pick only five, some become more important than others.
High Votes Section, Most Votes First
It was both encouraging and refreshing to see our new Mayor David Gregory and Councillors Bennest, Waterman and Finnis participating along with their fellow citizens. Several senior staff members from Municipal Hall also attended and their presence was very much appreciated by the participants.
The first Question was "What makes Summerland a great place to live?" Answers from all five workshops were compiled into one master list. The participants were given 5 votes each to prioritise the great things about Summerland.
NOTE: Don't make the mistake of assuming that only the items that received high votes are important. They are ALL important - that is why participants raised them in the first place - but when forced to pick only five, some become more important than others.
High Votes Section, Most Votes First
- Proximity to nature/natural amenities/walking and cycling trails.
- Viable agriculture, agriculture close to town, "farm feel" to community
- Walkability and compactness/viability of main street/main street theme
- Small town atmosphere
- Green space/natural setting/views/"see the stars at night"
- Air and water quality
- Volunteerism/community activity/sense of community
- Good community services/good access/sports facilities/websites and newspaper
- No big box stores/no emphasis on highway development
- Climate
- Safety and low crime rate
- The fruit and wine industries
Medium Votes Section, Most Votes First
- History and culture
- Friendly faces/know many people
- Family orientation, family activities, family support, SADIE
- Agricultural Research Station
- ALR and availability of locally produced food
- Seniors amenities and services/ assisted living
- Population age diversity
- Vibrant cultural community
- Lack of congestion/lack of traffic lights/easy driving and parking
- Economic opportunities
- Schools centralised, can locate anywhere in town and have access.
- Unique name
- Unique character with off-highway downtown, hilly terrain, country feel
Lower Votes Section
- Dog friendly
- Proximity to Vancouver and other places
MORE RESULTS WILL FOLLOW AS SOON AS THEY ARE COMPILED - WATCH THIS BLOG!
posted by tony cooke |
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1 Comments:
This is an excellent list -- there is so much to be proud of here. I share Frank's concern that the business community was/is not represented in these discussions. If the process is perceived to be advancing a no-growth agenda, it reduces the potential impact. I was glad to hear that Scott Boswell was participating.
By
Jeremy, at 1:08 p.m.
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