The first thing that comes to mind when hearing of improvements is safety. The elementary trails at Panama Flats are unsafe, especially during the winter when slippery boards span the berm gaps and mud makes for poor footing.
Improvements also brings to mind access and enjoyable experiences. Those with disabilities and mothers with strollers would be able to move about freely on level gravelled trails. Perhaps the abandoned shed could be used as a nature centre and the roof would be useful as a viewing platform; benches to rest on would be pleasurable.
So far, Saanich workers have widened the existing trails that encircle the fields, including the central berm by 60 centimetres. This eliminates the hazard of getting scratches from brambles and those with allergies have no need to disturb the grasses and weeds loaded with pollen. I doubt that any nesting birds were affected by this narrow pathway. However, the weeds will quickly grow back, adding to the taxpayers’ expense if not smothered with aggregate.
Keith Taylor
Victoria
