Paul Billette of Columbia Avenue recounted to Westmount city council last week how he recently stopped to chat with some residents who live next to the park, situated between Clandeboye and Greene avenues south of Dorchester Boulevard. He asked them about their interest in the City's municipal arena project, which is currently under development.

"The issue that was worrying them more, apart from keeping the pool, is the state of amusement for the little kids in our park," he said. "Apparently, in their words, Stayner Park stinks.

"We have now on my street 13 little kids and two more coming, so there is an explosion," said Billette, explaining how the number of families with children in his neighbourhood has grown in recent years. "The equipment there is no longer adapted to these little kids. Apparently, if someone wants to see good facilities, they go to TMR, and even research of NDG has apparently (revealed) better facilities than we have.”

Billette added that he was surprised at the perceived deterioration, because about 20 years ago his nieces and nephews would visit him and they would all enjoy the local parks and their facilities. “Apparently, this is no longer the case,” he said. “Things have changed, and these people say that we need to pay attention… I know it's not a matter of money, it's a matter of attention. This council's probably been very busy with getting our finances together, getting the arena going, getting infrastructure, and this is a very small thing — but there are a lot of kids now in those areas."

Billette complained that a layer of wood chips that covers the surface under the playground equipment has nearly vanished before the end of each summer. "All it needs is replenishment and it's not something that is costly. It's just attention."

Mayor Karin Marks replied, "We've done some refurbishing of various parks over the past 10 years with new equipment. We're also in the process of a parks study that is looking at all the parks — both their earlier vocation and also their condition. But I think you've brought a specific case in point, and we'll certainly ask that it be done."

A regular user of Stayner Park who was interviewed by the Examiner last weekend said several pieces of park furniture, including picnic benches and some playground equipment, were removed some time back and never replaced.