Letters to the editor

Committee could be a positive step

To the editor:

At the meeting of Westmount City Council on Oct. 22, it was announced by the mayor that a citizen's committee would be formed to advise the City on a plan to refurbish areas of the park used for sports and recreational activities.

It is gratifying to see the council finally acknowledging the importance of public input and consultation.

It is to be hoped that a solution will be found that will respect the needs of all park users - children from the nearby schools, athletes, families and all citizens, without unduly restricting or favoring any particular group. A great deal of effort and passion has already been devoted to this issue and the council can be in no doubt as to what the majority of residents want; it was expressed most forcefully at the public meeting in May.

If a truly representative committee of citizens is able to crystallize some of the suggestions proposed at that time and recommend a satisfactory solution without drastic, divisive and costly modifications, this issue can finally be laid to rest and we can all move on to simply enjoying our park.

Mavis Young

Melville Avenue



Bike path is great!

To the editor:

I would like to thank and congratulate Westmount for completing the bike path east of Greene Avenue. Going downtown is a pleasure now.

The path looks great and the job was done without fuss.

There will be more cyclists going through the park now. Rather than cut down trees and move the path, I suggest putting up signs to remind cyclists that they cannot speed as they do on the streets. There may even be place for speed bumps on the path.

Elizabeth O'Connor

Lewis Avenue



Park is not a thoroughfare

To the editor:

Subsequent to the completion of the cycle track stone barriers in downtown Montreal, there has been pressure on Westmount to install a similar structure on the Westmount section of de Maisonneuve Boulevard. It is hoped that we do not do so. The street here is much narrower and the poles do an excellent job, keeping the cyclists away from the cars. A structure would be a hazard, apart from the snow clearing problem in the winter. We should also keep the park cycle path as it is and not make it part of the city-wide track.

Westmount Park is not a thoroughfare; it is for the enjoyment of our citizens.

Stanley Baker

De Maisonneuve Boulevard