CollingwoodToday 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). The following letter was written in response to a council decision to ban barbecues at Sunset Point Park for the remainder of the summer.
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My husband and I are extremely disappointed with council's ill-considered decision to ban barbecues at Sunset Point for the rest of 2020. We feel this decision was made without thoughtful or insightful public discussion. Instead, council's shortsighted decision to pass a blanket ban on barbecuing has clearly sent a message that low-income and diverse families are not welcome at Sunset Point.
Barbecuing is both an economic and cultural activity. For low-income families, it's a cost-effective way to enjoy the outdoors. For families of diverse backgrounds, barbecuing has deep cultural roots as a means to bring friends and family together.
Council's decision to ban barbecues at Sunset Point was made without taking into consideration these two extremely important factors.
We can understand that too many barbecues operating continuously and/or the improper disposal of coals can be an environmental and safety hazard.
However, developing rules around the use of barbecues – such as dedicated barbecuing areas at the park, limitations to the size of barbecues and types of fire starters allowed, etc. – is an appropriate solution to address these issues. And anyone disrespecting any of our town parks and/or not adhering to COVID policies should be fined and removed by the town's bylaw officers.
News of this ban and its racist and discriminative undertones will travel quickly, not only to the visitors who are directly affected by the ban, but also to the visitors for whom our town's economy relies on. Your decision to ban barbecues will influence their decision to spend their money elsewhere.
Council's decision to ban barbecues at Sunset Point was not made in the best interests of the town's residents. Council must immediately reverse the ban and implement consistent and easily enforceable barbecuing policies at all our public parks.
We live at Sunset Point and witness, on a daily basis, the joy our park brings to everyone who visits.
Sincerely,
Prabha Mattappally
Collingwood
