88-year-old hopes Canmore buys his 'little hidden jewel' for urban park

At 88 years old, Philippe Delesallewants to make sure his home and gardens of six decades can be enjoyed by future generations.

He's now living ina seniors home, and worries his home in the heart of mountain town Canmore, Alta., might end up in the hands of a condo developer.

He and his wife, Mireille Delesalle, have asked the town to buy their property, 630 10thStreet, which is less than an acre along thepicturesque Policeman's Creek. They would like it turned into an urban park.

"It is so easy to make it a park because you remove all the buildings ... and that's it. It is beautiful park. It wouldbe very good for everybody," Delesalle told theCalgary Eyeopener.

"If you look five years, 10 years from now, I mean ... it would be a shame, you know, to put a building there."

The family said it is willing to sell for less than what a developer would likely pay. The town, however, does have rules around purchase prices, and must meet market value. The most recent town assessment pegged the value of the land and building at $961,900.

Canmore town staff recommended this week that councillors approve the purchase, as the Rocky Mountain Outlook first reported, and councillors voted to approve price negotiations.

The mayor, John Borrowman, says he expects council to discuss buying it in a couple weeks.

"I think that council would be showing great vision for the future of our community if we were able to find the means to protect that land and save it for future generations to enjoy," he said. "It really is this like little hidden jewel right in the heart of Canmore."

The property is hidden behind a fence, as the family was known to be private. It has about 100 metres of shoreline, trees and gardens, all of which could be revealed to the public.

The land and its landscape hasbeen protected by Delesalle for 60 years. When he first moved in, he said there was no street.

"When they came with the bulldozer ... they were going to wreck everything apart, so I protected things, you know," Delesalle said. "Finally, people see it's beautiful."

Not a simpledecision

Borrowman said he's keen to secure the property as the densely packed town has few opportunities to develop public green spaces.

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Of course, the town is just outside Banff National Park, which provides a considerable natural environment. But, Borrowmansaid, an urban park provides a different kind of service.

"I think council should be looking 40, 50 years out and what it might mean to future generations to have this beautiful piece of land right along policeman's creek," he said.

"It may not be a simple decision for council but it's well worth the discussion."

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With files from Elizabeth Withey and theCalgary Eyeopener.