To the editor:

According to media reports, tourism in the Central Okanagan is a billion-dollar industry. This is understandable as the Okanagan is a four season playground: Boating, skiing, golfing, and I am sure walking around in our abundant parks is high on the list.

The Central Okanagan is home to 30 regional parks, thanks to the fore-sight of some hard working dedicated people and generous donations from long standing families. Seven of these parks had live-in caretakers who paid rent to live in the on-site homes, but were not paid for their services. In return for paying rent, the caretakers had a contract to perform 10 to 15 duties, depending on the parksa国际传媒檚 requirements. Some of the duties were:

sa国际传媒� To act as park hosts providing friendly, thoughtful, courteous and informative assistance to park visitors.

sa国际传媒� To activate the appropriate emergency response where required as per emergency protocol.

sa国际传媒� To provide two daily park patrols (morning and evening) for approximately 1/2 hr.

sa国际传媒� To maintain order and security in the park so that as to prevent mischief, abuse of park facilities or hazardous conduct by persons using the park.

sa国际传媒� To immediately advise the parks manager or their designated personnel of any vandalism, trespass, mischief, unsafe condition, by-law infraction or other extraordinary condition in the park.

sa国际传媒� To open and close the park gates, unlock and lock washrooms and other buildings at the times specified by the regional district daily, seven days per week, year round.

sa国际传媒� To log information daily in regards to these duties, including recording that all towing information signs were in place at time of towing.

sa国际传媒� To do all things reasonably necessary to protect the natural conditions of the park and its enjoyment by the public.

sa国际传媒� To perform any other duties and comply with such other obligations as are reasonably advised by the parks manager from time to time.

The caretakers, who have all been let go, will be replaced by Regional District paid commissionaires who will have one duty: To open and close gates. It has been suggested that we, the neighbours and visitors to these parks, will perform the remaining duties.

The on-site residences, some of which have heritage value, will be sa国际传媒渞epurposed,sa国际传媒� but to what purpose is not known. This issue is complex, but it is incumbent on the Regional District to solve the apparent problems and put their resources behind our diminishing open spaces.

If you care about the security and maintenance of our parks, and about the lack of transparency of our elected officials, write, phone or email them to share your concerns.

Maureen Lisle, Kelowna