Aerial view of Kiwanis Park in Williams Lake. (Image Credit: City of Williams Lake)

By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Williams Lake Tribune

Public Safety

Williams Lake mother concerned for children’s safety in Kiwanis Park

Sep 20, 2025 | 8:11 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Williams Lake City Council are directing staff to install public safety signs in Kiwanis Park after receiving a letter from a concerned mother.

At the Tuesday, Sept. 16 regular council meeting, Mayor and Council heard from Katie Hilborn, a mother of young children who said people are finding drug paraphernalia and used needles in the park. She proposed council consider installing a higher fence along the perimeter of the park and a locked gate to help address the safety issue.

“I have a one-and-a-half-year-old son who puts everything into his mouth like most babies do. I am genuinely concerned that if he were to put drug paraphernalia in his mouth by accident, he would choke, overdose, or die,” Hilborn wrote in her letter.

Kiwanis Park is located on Fourth Avenue next to the city’s recreation complex and is a popular spot for families to visit due to its central access to a playground, splash pad, fitness park and tennis courts. Hilborn also emphasized the park’s particular importance to the community as an option for families who are unable to drive to activities elsewhere, and local schools and day cares make good use of the playground.

But in recent months, Hilborn said it has become increasingly dangerous to use the park as drug paraphernalia, and needles have been found in the grass, play structures, washrooms and the covered picnic area.

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“I don’t think you can put up a high fence to block everybody at all hours of the day, I don’t think that’s realistic,” said Councillor Sheila Boehm in response to Hilborn’s proposal.

Councillor Joan Flaspohler, while sympathizing with Hilborn, also said she didn’t think changing the fence was the answer.

“I think putting up a fence myself will not fix the issue or completely eradicate these challenges, and I don’t want the park to look like a jail, a prison,” Flaspohler said.

The city’s Chief Administrative Officer, Gary Muraca, said it’s an issue that exists all over the city, and that people should simply call the police if they see illegal or concerning activity.

“Any report back from staff would never recommend a fence or anything like that because that would just increase the crime activity behind the fence,” Muraca said.

Councillor Boehm acknowledged it was a difficult situation, but suggested the City instead consider installing information signs in public spaces, including the park, to inform the public of what is being done about the issue and how the public can help by bringing their concerns to the right place.

“We sweep the park every morning, but unfortunately, drug use doesn’t happen in the middle of the night; it happens throughout the day, and you find stuff all day long,” Muraca said.

Council did not move forward with Hilborn’s proposal, but it was generally agreed that signs assuring the public that the city is conducting morning sweeps would be helpful, and that these signs could also direct the public to the correct contacts if they see illegal or unsafe activity and debris in public spaces. This would include making the information available on the city’s social media and asking the public to report to the RCMP when they see open drug use and to contact the city’s public works department if there is a mess to be cleaned up.

Before council moved forward with the vote, Councillor Scott Nelson also contributed.

“I’m not going to sit here and mix words and create policies, the bottom line is that if you’re homeless and you’re doing drugs in a community park where children play,” Nelson said. “Kick them out, it’s that simple, bottom line.”

Nelson also said the presence of RCMP and bylaw officers should be increased, and while this was not included in the official motion Council proceeded to vote on, Muraca made a point of texting the RCMP as Nelson pushed for firm action.

“Enough is enough, kick ’em out, throw them in jail,” Nelson said. “If you’re doing drugs in that park, that should be our top priority. Tomorrow I expect the RCMP down there, your worship, and I do expect that we’re going to see our bylaw people down there, and if there are guys doing drugs, call the Cops and arrest them.”

Hilborn told the Tribune she was happy the City was taking her concerns seriously and was hopeful that an increased RCMP presence would make a difference.

“I really appreciate Scott Nelson backing up my letter for helping stand up and advocating for the children, parents and public who use Kiwanis park,” Hilborn wrote to the Tribune.

The city voted unanimously in favour of Boehm’s motion to install public safety signs in more prominent city spaces.