Vermont Square Park is getting an overhaul.
After years of gradual neglect, the park is being rehabilitated in two phases, the first of which is beginning in June.
"Over the 90s and the first decade of this millennium, I think that municipal services have changed, and imperceptibly our park became sort of a wasteland," says longtime Seaton Village resident
Andrew Ignatieff, chair of the Vermont Square Park Renewal Committee (and
Michael's brother). "If any of us thought about it, we thought the city will deal with it, and I'm sure the city thought the people can take it over and take responsibility for it, so it was in pretty bad shape, particularly in the playground where a lot of the equipment had become broken and damaged and unsafe for young children."
The cycle was broken with a call from Councillor Adam Vaughan, who suggested the park would be a good candidate for city-funded help.
The committee was struck by the
Seaton Village Residents' Association 18 months ago, and after extensive neighbourhood consultations, the particular changes were agreed, including new playground equipment, and
Plant Architects were engaged to design the new landscaping.
The budget for the project is $500,000. The first phase is due to be completed by August, and the second phase, which will mostly involve infrastructural improvements, will be done in 2012.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Andrew Ignatieff
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