Two city parks may grow to encompass neighbouring city-owned properties after the structures on them are removed or demolished.
A city staff report recommending the sale or demolition of houses at 5361 Rumble St. and 1576 Gilmore Ave. was presented to the city’s parks, recreation and culture commission last week.
The Rumble Street property, acquired by the city in 1990 for McPherson District Park, recently became vacant, according to the report.
“The subject property is improved with an older one-storey (with basement) single-family dwelling and garage built in 1948,” the report stated. “The dwelling recently became vacant and a thorough inspection conducted by facilities management has estimated the maintenance cost to re-tenant this house at $42,400.”
The Gilmore Avenue property was acquired in 2000 for Willingdon Heights Park.
“The property is improved with an untenanted two-storey (no basement) single-family dwelling built in 1987,” the report stated. “A recent inspection conducted by facilities management has the estimated the maintenance cost to re-tenant this house at $39,400.”
The next step is for Burnaby council to consider the recommendations at a future council meeting.
“Once the structures are removed, the land will be eventually integrated into the parks. The park boundaries are established through the community planning process and approved by council,” Dave Ellenwood, director of parks, recreation and cultural service, told the NOW in an email. “If there are properties that the city needs to acquire once the boundaries are established, then it is through a willing seller/willing buyer process.”
The city also owns other interim rental housing near the two parks that could one day be absorbed into them. Currently there are four other city-owned properties in the west portion of McPherson Park.
There are two other untenanted city-owned properties along Willingdon Heights Park, three vacant city lots and 14 interim rental properties owned by the city.
“It often takes several years before all properties are acquired within a park, and there are several private properties adjacent to parks that we are still looking to acquire in the future,” Ellenwood said. “Those negotiations are handled by our legal department.”
