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More than 100 people cheer and wave as the new
playground at Lions Park is officially opened Sunday afternoon
Kincardine Lions Bob Wolfenden (L) and
Jim Prenger (R), surrounded by a crowd of children, parents and fellow
Lions Club members, hold the ribbon, while Kincardine councillor Guy
Anderson, recreation director Karen Kieffer, Lion Ken Fair and club
president Ross Thompson cut the ribbon to officially open the new
playground at Lions Park |
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Amid the cheering of more than 100 people, the new playground at
Lions Park, beside the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, was officially
opened Sunday afternoon.
Lions Club president Ross Thompson welcomed the crowd and noted that
the club just celebrated its 35th anniversary.
"We’re proud to be part of the Kincardine community," he said, "and
we appreciate the support from the Municipality of Kincardine and
the Ontario Trillium Foundation on this project. Looking at all the
children here, the playground is being well-utilized."
Thompson recognized Lion Ken Fair who spearheaded the project when
it was discovered in 2007 that the old playground needed
replacement. Fair put together the application that resulted in a
$30,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation. The municipality put in
$89,000, and the Lions Club picked up the remainder of the $131,000
cost.
The Lions Club built the picnic shelter at the north end of the park
and put down the mulch and then Henderson Playground Equipment had
the play structures installed. Thompson also thanked Lions Bob
Wolfenden and Andrew Lunshof who set up the work bees, and Chris
Hartwick of the municipality for his co-operation on this project.
Recreation director Karen Kieffer said the Lions Club cares about
the community and that is demonstrated through this "terrific
playground."
Fair said that in 1992, 45 Lions Club members built the first
playground at Lions Park, so it was with some sadness that they had
to tear it down and replace it with a new one. "But we’re glad to
see this playground come together. We plan to make more improvements
to the park."
"This is a super project," said Kincardine councillor Guy Anderson,
chairman of the recreation committee. "It’s easier for the
municipality to support a project when there’s this much effort
behind it."
With a life span of 20 years, the new equipment includes accessible
features, such as ramps and transfer stations, a rubberized surface,
engineered wood mulch and play structures constructed with
CSA-approved materials. Because it is located beside the Davidson
Centre, the park is well-used by children involved in the
municipality’s summer playground program which serves 120 children
per week, aged two to 12. The playground has an estimated 5,000
children visits (including 12 special needs children) per week, and
another 3,000-5,000 visits from other casual users of the park.
Established in 1974, the Kincardine and District Lions Club is a
not-for-profit, volunteer-led organization with a mission to create
and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for
humanitarian needs, providing voluntary services through community
involvement. The club is active in the community, and on an annual
basis helps with funding for a special needs program for children
with physical and mental challenges to participate in the municipal
summer playground program. The club also provides volunteer support
to various community events, such as the MS Walk, Terry Fox Run,
minor soccer tournaments, Santa Claus Parade, and Communities in
Bloom. (next column)
15/06/2009 11:35 PM
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Noah Page, 5, (L), Nathan Williams, 6, and Brian Nicholson, 5,
all of Kincardine, climb on one of the lion statues at the park
Marcus Villena, 8, of Kincardine makes his way to the top of this
climbing structure
Lauren Green, 4, of Kincardine enjoys a piece of cake at the
celebration
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