A new riverside park continues to head toward reality after the City of Cranbrook and St. Mary’s Indian Band Nov. 28 signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the St. Mary’s River Park jointly managed by the two sides.

Band Chief Cheryl Casimer and Mayor Scott Manjak formally initiated a joint management agreement between the two communities by signing the agreement.

The agreement is an addendum to the “Memorandum of Understanding to Establish Effective Government to Government Principles of Collaboration, Consultation and Partnership,” which was originally signed by the St. Mary’s Band and the City of Cranbrook March 29, 2010.

“–a“am (St. Mary’s Band) is pleased to be a party to the establishment of this natural park that will be enjoyed by all residents in the Kootenays,” said Chief Casimer. “This is yet another positive outcome based on our relationship with the city and I commend them for their continued efforts in realizing the full potential of working in partnership with the St. Mary’s Band.”

The signing took place at the St. Mary’s Band Hall Monday morning, and it was preceded by a gift presentation from Manjak to Casimer. He presented her with a granite plaque with an etching of the reconciliation sculpture on display outside the Canadian Rockies International Airport.

Manjak said he wanted the plaque (pictured above) to be granite because it symbolizes the St. Mary’s and Ktunaxa people to him, with their ties to the Earth. The engraved words include notice of “sincere appreciation” to the chief and Ktunaxa nation, for the establishment of a good working relationship between the city and band.

“I want to thank Chief Casimer and her Band council for their continuing commitment to the establishment of a natural park that will benefit both of our communities. This agreement continues our joint efforts in moving forward the relationship that our two governments have been working on over the past three years, which is based on the principles of reconciliation and respect between Cranbrook and the St. Mary’s Band,” Manjak said.

According to a jointly issued press release, the St. Mary’s River Park Agreement to be developed, in accordance with this Addendum, will define the roles and responsibilities of both parties in the management of the park. The agreement also ensures that both communities jointly pursue funding opportunities to defray expenses associated with: developing of infrastructure and its on-going maintenance; labour for park management activities; administrative overhead for park management and other investment activities to protect the park while maximizing public use and other opportunities that may be realized from the park.

The agreement also identifies educational outreach initiatives to be pursued and establishes the process for the development of an access management plan to maximize public use, while protecting the values for which the park was established. Both communities agree to complete and execute the final Joint Management Agreement by June 30, 2012.

“Through that document, it has opened up many opportunities to work together. We are neighbours and there are things we can do together,” Casimer said, adding she is going to miss Manjak when he leaves office shortly. Manjak did not run for re-election and Wayne Stetski will take over as Cranbrook’s new Mayor next week.

“We’re sad to see Scott go but we look forward to maintaining our relationship with the city and the new mayor. We’ve established a foundation almost as solid as the granite itself,” she said. “When you do work together positive things come out of it.”

Manjak said the new park, located in a bend alongside the St. Mary’s River, abutting the western edge of Shadow Mountain Golf Course, will be open in the spring.

“It’s a beautiful piece of land,” he said of the Crown land property, District Lot 9878.

Casimer noted the property is the last piece of Crown land in that area (between Wycliffe Park Road and the river. “It’s going to provide an opportunity for people using the Rails-to-Trails to go down for a rest” and enjoy nature, she added.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

Article Share