Municipality seeks opinions on how to spend parkland funds
Administrator | Jun 07, 2024 | Comments 2
The County seeks input from residents on how the municipality could spend funds that have been allocated to parks and open green spaces in the 2024 budget.
Recent provincial legislation states municipalities must now spend 60 per cent of their parkland funds within a year of acquiring them. The funds in reserve come from developers who provide cash instead of dedicating parkland in their projects. Municipalities are required to spend funds in the same geographic area as the development occurred.
The County started to collect Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland in 1999 and last fall reported it since collected $953,693. It spent funds on improvements to parks in Picton, Sophiasburgh, Wellington and Athol. As examples, the fund saw $99,320 spent in Picton from 2003 to 2022 on the grounds, a sprinkler system on the soccer fields, ball diamond lighting and the harbour trail. In Sophiasburgh, $16,775 was spent in 2011 on the Northport Park; and in Wellington, $108,020 went toward debt servicing. In South Marysburgh, $12,000 was spent at Mount Tabor and in Athol, $6,837 was spent to acquire land for the Glendon Green Boat Launch walkway.
The municipality has allotted funds for 10 parkland projects across Prince Edward County. The public is invited to share ideas about the types of amenities, or park features, for the municipality to consider when spending the reserve money.
Consecon: Develop green space in Consecon Park. The budget for this project is $40,000.
Westfall Park: Develop the green space in Westfall Park, Carrying Place. The budget for this project is $80,000.
Mariners Museum or Milford Park: Develop the green space in Mariners Park Museum OR Milford Park. The budget for this project is $40,000.
Wilkinson Memorial Park or Prinyer’s Cove Boat Launch: Develop the green space in Wilkinson Memorial Park (Waupoos) OR Prinyer’s Cove Boat Launch Park (Cressy). The Wilkinson Memorial Park currently has a tennis and pickleball court with basketball hoops. There is a playground and band shelter. An old baseball diamond and large green space with new trees that were planted a year ago. Also on the property is a canteen and shaded picnic area. The budget for this project is $80,000.
Roblin Lake Park Improvements: A paddle craft dock is proposed. Improvements could potentially be to the park, at Ameliasburgh, also. The budget for this project is $90,000.
Big Island Boat Launch: A modest picnic area could include a simple shade structure providing cover over several picnic tables. A paddle craft dock could be installed at the existing dock. The budget for this project is $45,000.
Picton Laneway and Green Space: Enhance up to two publicly-owned, pedestrian-only laneways, as well as provide infrastructure to an urban green space that currently contains no amenities. The eligible laneways are: Between 247 and 251 Picton Main Street (The Royal Hotel and Harvey Kalles Real Estate)
The Lipson Walkway between 281 and 289 Picton Main Street (Ye11ow Studio and Books & Company) The budget is $50,000.
Athol South Marysburgh Public School Community Access: The school council at Athol-South Marysburgh (ASM) Public School has been fundraising to revitalize the school yard. The municipality has been welcomed as a partner in this project, using parkland funds help the school yard be welcoming and open to the greater community when school is not in session. The budget for this project is $14,000.
Jack Taylor Park: Develop the green space in Jack Taylor Park, Hillier. The budget for this project is $99,000.
Bloomfield Mill Pond Main Street Connection: Improve access to the park and pond from Mill Street and the cemetery (via Main Street) by developing a pathway, seating and educational signage. The budget for this project is $80,000.
Click on the link below for the project you wish to provide input for:
- Consecon Park
- Westfall Park
- Mariners Park Museum / Milford Park
- Wilkinson Memorial Park / Prinyer’s Cove Boat Launch Park
- Roblin Lake Park Improvements
- Big Island Boat Launch Improvements
- Picton Laneway & Green Space
- Athol-South Marysburgh Public School Community Access
- Jack Taylor Park
- Bloomfield Mill Pond Main Street Connection
Filed Under: Featured Articles • Local News
The empty park space on Downes Avenue behind the apartment would be an excellent candidate for some kind of play equipment. With all the new housing in the area there are many kids there now.
Great to see improvements made to parklands in the County. But improvements for who? Will we see playgrounds having accessible equipment; pathways that can be used by wheelchairs and accessible parking spaces at all of our parks? Without these, anyone with mobility challenges will not see these parklands as a place for everyone. For example, at Roblin Lake, there are no accessible parking spots near the park area, or at the water. While a paddle craft dock is a great plan, let’s make sure that a wheelchair can get to the water’s edge for access to the dock.