Picton’s Benson Park may become “the grandest park in the county,” if Wentworth Landscapes has its way.

Scott Wentworth convinced Council’s Committee of the Whole to provisionally endorse an utterly transformed space on September 28. His plans feature all new play equipment, for all ages, and stress accessibility and equality.

Renderings of the proposed park show it crowded with equipment, all of which is placed in accordance with the O.P.P. recommendation of “a revised park layout to minimize the obstructed street view [and] to minimize unwanted activity.”

Safety is a key consideration. Benson Park has suffered from repeated occurences of vandalism and other “unwanted activity.” Mr. Wentworth developed his vision of the park with reference to the O.P.P. recommendations. Improved sight lines ensure “there are no hiding places.”

The playground is relocated to the large green space now opposite the shaded, enclosed play area. A 26-foot gazebo is proposed for that corner.

Walking paths are expanded, with improved seating. An adult-oriented space near the current tennis and pickleball courts could feature a fitness obstacle course. Existing trees will be preserved and new trees planted to encourage biodiversity.

March 11, 1960 proposal for the park with a new swimming pool. (From the Gazette archives)

Councillor Nieman asked “are we making a playground or a gym?” Councillor Prinzen, however, was enthusiastic. “If we could put in five of these, I would.”

Councillors stressed integrating plans for Benson into the County’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Councillor Joyce Maynard worried about the loss of the present large green space that runs to Ross Street, and its opportunities for spontaneous games of soccer or catch. It would be covered with a combination of wood chips and rubber tiles to support the new children’s playground.

Mr. Wentworth told the Gazette that concept diagrams represent a number of options, which he expects to be refined across Council’s approval process. Different features could be spread out across a number of parks in the County’s purview, and could be phased in over time.

Mr. Wentworth also noted that the proposed changes are not just physical, but social. Studies show that “multiple users encourages better behaviour.” He cited the example of the splash pad his company installed at the Fair Ground’s skate park. It brought a different demographic, and improved park use.

The proposed changes are not just physical, but social

The proposed gazebo might play this kind of role. Although tucked into a corner, it will be open. It will be vandalism-resistant steel. Lighting will be improved. As a sheltered programming space, it could attract different users. It will visually recall Picton’s Heritage Conservation District, take a “classic form,” and match the colours of Benson Hall.

Political questions involved funding. Benson Park would receive a $300,000 upgrade — that is just phase one. The total cost would be $700,000.

The Parks and Recreation master plan in the works will oversee equity. The Benson Park plan, however, was started in 2020, and put on hold by the pandemic. It pre-dates the master plan.  Playground equipment is out of date, creating safety concerns, and the vandalism and other illegal activities there make Benson a pressing problem.

CAO Marcia Wallace indicated that there is government funding available for building accessible spaces. The County also has an $800,000 reserve account dedicated to parkland, derived from fees for rural lot severances, and organized ward by ward. Finally, the municipality will seek sponsorships for the second phase of renovations.

Elements that appear in Wentworth’s plans for Benson could well appear in other County parks. Look for a new gazebo in a park near you.