SOUTH END RESIDENTS LOOK TO RECLAIM PARK

It looked like a scene from the good ol' days.

Dogs chasing after each other across green fields while children
played happily without parent supervision. In the background, a penny
whistle chimed as adults gathered in small groups, chatting about
matters close to them.

Decades ago, Deverill Square Park (formerly Haliburton Park) probably
looked like this every Saturday morning.

These days, this morning was the exception.

Recently, the park was a place for drug deals and other misdeeds.

The South End Community Association wants to change that. On
Saturday, the association held an open house for all community
residents to gather ideas on how to "reclaim the park," according to
SECA chairman Douglas Hardie.

"There has been some neighbourhood stress over the past few years and
community residents who want to be able to use the park haven't
been," said Hardie. "(Saturday) we're surveying residents to see what
kind of upgrades they would like to see. If people are gathering in
the park, playing and using it in a positive way we'll be able to
take it back."

As if to punctuate Hardie's wishes, a group of 60-year-old men
arrived with soccer balls. They were at Deverill Square Park to hold
a brief 50th anniversary reunion of their championship-winning soccer
team. The pitch was their home field in the 1950s.

"We want to create more memories like that for the people using the
park today," said Hardie.

Some ideas for improvement include a multi-use lighted pad for road
hockey and basketball, as well as lighting, historical kiosks and
artwork.

The Vancouver Island Raiders, the defending national junior football
champions, want to use the field three nights a week in the summer
for practice.

"As long as there are people here using the park in a positive and
healthy way we'll be able to use it to its full potential," said
Kirsty MacDonald, Nanaimo's parks and open spaces planner.

Once the priorities are finalized, MacDonald said the city will
provide funding.