Charles Simmonds Park Renewal

Project overview

Charles Simmonds Park lies at the west edge of McKernan, at 115 St. and 79 Ave. It has not been updated in many years and needs attention to make it a greater feature for residents in both communities.

A committee led by Gail Fraser-Steffler, a long-time resident, is looking at what the park would need to make it more welcoming to families, seniors, students and all other potential park users. The committee is working on concept planning, consultation, fundraising and navigating City bureaucracy. This webpage will track the progress of the project.

Both the McKernan and Belgravia community leagues support this project and see it as a great collaborative effort to improve the green space in our communities. Developers building in the community could also be approached for financial support.

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If you are interested in helping out or contributing, contact Gail at gfs@shaw.ca

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Updates

Sept 1, 2020: McKernan Community League board agrees that the Charles Simmonds Park committee can apply for city grants on behalf of the community league.

August 2020: Westrich Development offers in-kind support for the project in concept form.

August 2020: The project is accepted by the city to be administered under the Neighbourhood Park Development Program. A project manager from the City will be assigned to work with the community committee and guide them through the concept, community consultation, fundraising and eventual building of the park improvements.

June 2020: An initial concept plan for the park is drafted by the Park Committee. Ideas in the concept are listed below.

Park Suggestions

A large number of suggestions have been received for the park. Not all of them will be possible; there will be a consultation process with the community to determine which ones are most desirable.

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The complete list of ideas that were brought forward so far:

• retain the open space character of the park

• natural style of playground that complements the park’s natural spaces

• a hill which would provide summer and winter play

• security – possibly added lighting

• more benches and tables, not just at the edge of the park

• some paths to make the centre of the park more accessible to seniors and those with limited mobility

• barbeque sites or fire pit

• designated off-leash area

• plantings on the edge to prevent parking in the park itself

• possibly add a small parking area

• a bicycle skills track for children

• small community garden for apartment dwellers

• covered picnic tables

• basketball court

• seniors recreation equipment

• adult exercise equipment

• teeter totters

• stage area

• saskatoon and raspberry garden