Dear Editor,
[RE: Maple Ridge City Hall asking for public input on new design for Volker Park, Oct. 29, www.mapleridgenews.com]
AI algorithms and trend analytics: How many voices are we missing and why?
In the case of the Volker Park Redevelopment Phase Two proposal “our” data shows, 98 per cent of the residents sharing a property line with Volker Park are not in favour of the current proposal.
The City of Maple Ridge uses online platforms such as SOCIALPINPOINT to invite public engagement and survey the community for feedback for many of its City projects.
From these online surveys and other social media trend platforms data is converted into percentages. Those percentages are published online as a representation of community feedback.
As online trend analysis tools gain in popularity, many non-digital voices get left behind.
Data is us, all of us, not just those who have digital fluency and access to digital platforms.
“Our data” indicates that 98 per cent of the residents sharing a property line with Volker Park are not in favour of the current phase two proposal.
These are only some of the voices of the homeowners who share a property line with Volker Park or live close enough to experience all the traffic congestion, noise after hours, parking issues, and countless other negative realities that threaten the value of our wellbeing, homes, and properties.
The unique geographical feature of consideration for the 2025 Volker Park redevelopment proposal is the open property line that is shared between the park, homeowners, and Laity View Elementary.
We live between two actively attended public spaces that are already unmanageable with respect to the increased traffic congestion, noise, and parking issues.
Will municipal objectives move forward disregarding the Volker Park homeowners concerns with respect to traffic and parking issues, home investment and residential property values?
Data whether its trend analytics, letters published in local newspapers, or names gathered on petitions, one thing we can agree on is that every voice should be counted.
P. Justus, Maple Ridge