Alexandra Neighbourhood Park has not even been open a month and already some residents are calling it "an eye sore."
Richmond News reader Jimmy Cheung, a frequent visitor to the park, said the main problem is that the city used crushed gravel on the ground of the park's play and ping pong areas.
"I understand the decision to use crushed gravel for low traffic areas for environmental and cost concerns, but it's just ridiculous to use crushed gravel where the play structure and the ping pong tables are," said Cheung.
"The crushed gravel is not mixed well with sand, so it's just like a layer of marbles on the ground waiting for a major injury to happen."
He said every time he takes his kids to play in that area, he just prays they won’t trip and hurt themselves.
"It saddens me every time I go there -- and it's getting worse."
In addition to safety hazards, Cheung said a wheelchair user told him that the crushed gravel path "effectively negates wheelchair access to the playground."
Cheung has sent multiple emails to the city expressing his concerns regarding safety and wheelchair access.
He’s also launched an online petition to urge the city to take immediate action by repaving the playground and the perimeter of the ping pong tables.
"The city started planning this park in 2017, and it was just completed in 2022. I am sure we don't want to let another five years pass before the city recognizes their wrongdoing," Cheung wrote in the petition, which has more than 50 signatures so far.
"I know it's a small project and only affects a small number of people, but it's still a common concern for people who use the park," added Cheung.
City will provide periodic cleaning of the affected areas, said the city
Clay Adams, the city's spokesperson, said the design of Alexandra Neighbourhood Park was the subject of extensive community engagement in 2017, which included an on-site open house and surveys to determine preferred park elements and programs.
"Feedback from those sessions led to the park concept, layout and materials we see today. The use of crushed gravel paving was a feature of that design and is in keeping with the natural character, aesthetics and sustainability goals of the park," Clay wrote in an email.
However, Clay added that the city was aware of concerns regarding the gravel and staff will monitor the area and provide periodic cleaning as required.
Cheung also confirmed with the Richmond News that in his latest phone call with the city, he was told staff are now actively looking for a solution.
"I look forward to seeing more action," noted Cheung.
