Community members Jerri-Lyn Ostroskie and Jennifer Hunter spoke at Tuesday’s Council meeting in favour of motion that will see a prospective sun shade erected at the London Ave. park at Macaulay Village. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)
SARAH WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
London Avenue Park is about to get some shade — if the Prince Edward Learning Centre (PELC) has anything to say about it.
Eleanor Zichy, Jennifer Hunter, and Jerri-Lynn Ostroskie of PELC successfully persuaded Council to deem their proposal to build a shade structure over the park a project of “community interest” on May 23rd.
The designation will allow them to fundraise as well as allow PELC to recruit volunteers through the United Way Day of Caring. Donations are eligible for tax receipts.
A prefabricated shade structure large enough for about 20 people will cost about $5,000 according to the group.
As the structure will be erected on municipal land, a designation of “community interest” ensures the municipality will be responsible for its upkeep.
Ms. Hunter, Program Coordinator at PELC and a resident of Macaulay Village, noted her organization has worked with Macaulay Village for five years “to make the neighbourhood a safe, secure, and a vibrant place to live.”
Ms. Hunter spoke to Council about the many park upgrades already achieved through the hard work of PELC students and staff. Sidewalks, lighting and a reduced speed limit on the hill leading up to the Village are all now in place with community gardens in the works.
After the deteriorated condition of the park was reported by the Gazette in 2022, work began between Macaulay Village residents and the municipality to improve things. Not only has Council allocated the funds for a new play structure but Landscape Architect Victoria Taylor has approached PELC to collaborate on the site plan and gardens.
As London Avenue Park is being refurbished, former student of PELC and community leader Ms. Ostroskie explained a shade structure would greatly increase usage.
“In 2021, we hosted our first annual Reading Round-up event at the Macaulay Heritage Park in partnership with Prince Edward County Library and County Kids Read,” Ms. Hunter explained. Community events have continued, but “persistent concerns from residents over the lack of services and upkeep in the area came to the surface.”
Several community members spoke to council expressing support for the project.
“I am a mom of four small children,” said Hallie Pollock. “My children and I are so excited about the new park that will be coming to the heights this summer. We don’t currently play there because it seems dangerous and, truthfully, there’s just not enough to play on,” said Ms. Pollock. “As we all know the sun can be very hot. The shade structure will give us all a break. There are many parents up here on the heights with babies who would enjoy having some shade. There are not enough trees surrounding the park to accommodate people who want shade. Please consider the shade structure. It is so needed.”
Councillor Kate MacNaughton brought forward a successful motion that council approve the project as one of community interest and that PELC enter into a partnership agreement with the County.
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