City Park Unveilings

Mayor Mitch Panciuk, members of Belleville City Council, Bay of Quinte MPP-elect Todd Smith, Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP-elect Ric Bresee, and City staff were pleased to officially unveil three new playgrounds last week at Haig Park, Stanley Parkette and Cascade Park.

The replacement of the Haig Park, Stanley Parkette and Cascade Park playgrounds was identified as a priority in the City’s Parkland and Recreation Master Plan.

Belleville City Council approved the replacement of the playgrounds during 2021 capital budget deliberations to be funded by the federal and provincial governments as part of the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

In January 2021, City staff conducted an online survey to gauge what elements residents would like to see in the parks. Using data collected and feedback from the survey, contractors developed designs for each park that they felt best suited each location. An online public meeting was then held in April 2021 in which residents had the opportunity to vote for their preferred designs for each park.

The final designs were then presented to and approved by Council, and construction began shortly after funding was secured last July.

Haig Park – Haig Park is located at 213 Haig Rd., east of Haig Road and south of Bridge Street East. Based on feedback from the public survey and demographic information for the area, the contractor ABC Recreation constructed a play space designed to be challenging for youth ages 12 and up. The guiding inspiration for this space was a “Belleville Ninja Warrior” challenge/course and includes fitness playground equipment, shared picnic tables and additional swings.

Stanley Parkette – Stanley Parkette is located at 32 Stanley Park Dr., east of Farley Avenue and north of Bridge Street East. Based on feedback from the public survey and demographic information for the area, the contractor S.F. Scott Manufacture Ltd. (Blue Imp) constructed a play space designed to be fun for all ages, incorporating adult exercise equipment in addition to playground equipment for children and youth. The space includes climbers, slides and other playground elements for diverse ages, stages and abilities in addition to a fitness circuit for adults, picnic tables and seating.

Cascade Park – Cascade Park is located at 33 Tracey Park Dr., south of Tracey Park Drive and north of Cascade Boulevard. Based on feedback from the public survey and demographic information for the area, the contractor Openspace Solutions constructed a play space designed to be inclusive and represent the diverse population in the area. The space includes an “explorer dome”, climbers, slides and swings, in addition to seating.

“We are very grateful to our federal and provincial partners for their support with this project,” said Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it became apparent how crucial spaces like these are for residents and families in Belleville. Parks and playgrounds provide us with space to exercise, play and enjoy the outdoors. The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Funding has allowed us to improve on these spaces and develop parks that can be enjoyed by all for years to come.”