Park renewal commences

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/07/2017 (3177 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Rose Hill Park renewal project is officially underway, and community members will soon be enjoying the outdoors with new amenities in the park.

On July 18 City Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Meadows West School principal Roger LeGrand, Meadows West Parent Council president Carol Dynkavitch, and members of the Sikh community gathered to turn the soil and kick off the renewal. Earlier this year, Pagtakhan engaged with the community to get input on the project, which will include outdoor workout stations.

Pagtakhan said, in his opinion, Rose Hill Park is often underused by community members. Now, the six-foot wide asphalt multi-use path will increase connectivity for the neighbourhood, provide an opportunity for mobility for the area’s residents and contribute to keep people fit and active and utilize the park, he added. Also, Meadows West School will be funding the planting of 15 trees in the park.

“Putting the fitness trail, having the fitness equipment will help increase the usage. To have some trees will help increase the biodiversity which is important for this space,” Pagtakhan said, adding the public engagement has been vital to the process and the Sikh community has played a significant role in providing feedback.

“A lot of folks had a chance to weigh in, in terms of what kind of equipment they want to see. So it really is a collaborative process.”

A year ago, the students at Meadows West School had the chance to participate in a phase of the park renovation. They conducted a survey, spoke to younger students and wrote a proposal to city hall.

“This is our play area and the city park, which is actually lovely, so the children are familiar with the equipment, the resources that are here,” LeGrand said. “This new fitness trail will allow the children to ride their bicycles around the whole perimeter of the park which will really open the park up, so that will be an opportunity for all family members to walk or cycle.”

During the $350,000 first phase of the renewal project, site drainage will be improved near the playground with the installation of a basin and new soil and sod regrading. 

The second phase of the project will include the installation of a shade shelter and U-shaped seating area near the play structures, and it will cost approximately $123,000. Project completion is scheduled for October.