Reading — Test 6

Reading passage

The Riverbend Gazette recently reported that the city plans to renovate Elmwood Park, replacing the old wading pool with a splash pad and adding a fenced dog area. We asked readers to weigh in. **Denise T.:** I've lived across from Elmwood Park for eighteen years, and I'm thrilled. That wading pool has been drained and roped off since 2023 because the concrete cracked. A splash pad needs far less water and no lifeguard, so it should actually reopen for families this time instead of sitting behind a fence. **Marcus O.:** I walk my retriever there every morning, and right now owners let dogs off-leash near the playground, which makes some parents nervous. A fenced dog area solves that problem for everyone. My only worry is size — the plan shows a space barely bigger than a tennis court, which won't be enough once word gets around. **Priya K.:** I support upgrading the park, but I question the timeline. The city says construction starts in September and finishes by next spring, yet the same contractor is already behind schedule on the Bramwell Community Centre project. Residents deserve a realistic date, not a hopeful one. **Sal Ferreira:** Nobody asked about the mature oak trees along the north edge. The design sketch posted at the last council meeting shows a paved path cutting through that exact area. Splash pads and dog runs are nice, but not if we're paying for them with forty-year-old shade trees. **Grace Liu:** As a renter without a yard, I've been waiting years for a proper off-leash space nearby. I understand Sal's concern about the trees, but the city has said it will consult an arborist before finalizing the path route, so I'm hopeful a compromise is still possible. Overall, this feels like the park finally catching up to how the neighbourhood actually uses it. Council will review public comments before the final vote on August 14.

Question 1 of 9