Sustainable or not?

So when we look at sustainability, the current thinking is to assess it from an ecological, financial, and social perspective. Let's talk about ecological. There is constant debate among the user groups as to the impacts that people are having on the ecosystem. While it is true that Garry Oak meadows are sensitive, it could be considered "sustainable" just by the very fact that it is protected. There are no Costcos slated for development, and the tennis players will just have to go to the community centre. So, will this park be around for future generations? Well, the local use impacts that seem to be contentious are: kids mt. biking on the rocks (eroding moss etc.), dogs running free and trampling vegetation, contamination from dog waste (must of us pick after our pooches, but there is still a few idiots out there), and human litter (garbage, broken glass etc.). My personal opinion, is that although these things are sometimes an eyesore and annoying, the park is more resiliant thann that. Large mammal wildlife, which in the past would have used this park....trample things, so the dog use isn't that different. Litter can be picked up, and graffitti washed away. The bigger threats to the ecological security in this park, I believe, are closer linked to global issues, such as climate change etc.

Gotta run....to be continued