Perth-Andover Flood Zone Repurposing Workshop a Success
There is Hope…
On March 13 Public Meeting # 2 was hosted by Glenn Group Landscape Architects in association with Dillon Consulting. This company has been hired by the province to design a plan for our flood lands. About 40 people participated in an exercise where we could draw on large maps to express ideas for what could be done to repurpose the vacant lots that will soon be a part of our daily lives on both sides of the river. We were told to use our imaginations but keep it realistic. Earlier in the day the Middle School children were asked to participate in the same exercise and draw their ideas for their “future” Perth-Andover. It was great to see that the kids and adults had many similar ideas especially with regards to recreation activities. Involving the children was an important aspect because they will be our future citizens and we need to give them something to look forward to.
So what can we do with the flood zone land that will be subject to future flooding? Among the ideas that were given by both the kids and adults included a golf course, marina, skate park, out- door amphi-theatre, gardens with park benches and walking trails, zip line across the river, kayak and canoe rentals, beaches, out- door ice rink, water park, roller rink, amphibious retail shops and restaurants, museum, bowling alley, and a zoo. This exercise was fun and everyone was excited about their “dream” designs.
We are not alone in our flood disasters and repercussions. Solutions do exist and have been put into practice around the world. Our job is to accept what is and get going with a plan and start rebuilding a sustainable village for ourselves and our children. The fact is that climate change is affecting flooding on a global scale and we need to adapt to live with it and not let it destroy our infrastructure any more. What are some of the things other countries have done to live with flooding? Amphibious houses (houses and businesses that float up as the water raises), structures on stilts, let water into the city in a controlled manner (imagine a little Venice, Italy), raised bridges, use of porous paving and water collection systems, sustainable drainage features, riverbanks used for trails and habitat, vegetated roadside swales that filter the water and delay its return to the river, and planning and designing for the overflow of their riverbanks through arterial channels. These are big changes to our vision of our beloved village but they work and look beautiful. We are all creatures of habit and most of us hate change because we like to stay in our comfort zones but I must say I am excited to see what the Glenn Group comes up with when putting all our ideas together into a professional scaled design. The next time we meet they will have professional drawings with our vision and ideas put together.
For sustainable solutions a few changes must occur as part of the long term plan. We the community need to be involved with the design of our future village; flood mitigation has to be in our design by way of dikes, dredging, and drainage channels; and there needs to be reform and policy change with regards to the operation of power dams and the negative impact they have on natural flow of the water ways.
The flood mitigation report we received in August of 2012 pointed out that the risk to Perth-Andover and Tobique First Nations is relatively high with a flood event occurring about every 5 years. Obviously we cannot go back to the way we were so I believe we should embrace our new future PA and learn to love our beautiful St. John River again on our terms.
The Glenn Group has set up a survey with some questions for residents to answer about “their” Perth-Andover. It’s to help get more ideas and input on our community planning. If you are unable to make it to the community meetings please take time to go to the survey on line. You can access this survey by going to face book and searching “Perth-Andover Flood Mitigation Plan”.
The survey questions and common answered were compiled so far. One of the survey questions and answers given kind of sums it all up:
What is missing form your community? What would you like to bring to Perth-Andover?
- Jobs and business
- Water access/ amenities
- HOPE
- A plan
So we have a plan, we have hope with the repurposing of our flood land and when we get our designs actually built we can attract new businesses and more people will want to live in Perth-Andover. The building of all this new infrastructure will hopefully provide some jobs but we definitely need to focus on the businesses first and foremost and get them flood proofed or move them higher so people will feel safe again continuing or starting a new business now.
Just remember. There really is HOPE. We just need to stick together more than ever now. Support the local businesses we do have and instead of saying “but there’s nothing here” ask your local merchants and stores if they can get in whatever you need. Without a business community, there will be no community. And without community there will be no Perth-Andover.
