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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-10-20, Page 9• Cambridge treet Park is a reality thanks to concerned parents' effort By T.Marr Seven years ago Ruth Erb of Cambridge Street, Goderich decided she didn't want her children growing up and using the local streets as a neighborhood playground. Although there was a park up the street from her house, Ruth says it consisted of "a field and some broken down equip- ment which had been brought in from other parks and that was about it." The neighborhood children very rarely used the park and Ruth decided it was time something was done with the area. • In order to arouse com- munity interest Ruth. decided to hold a "Name the Park" contest. "I ap- proached local businessmen and managed to collect $50 which went into a Canada Savings Bond for the prize. Then two senior citizens were appointed as the contest judges, residents offered their suggestions and Ronnie Ashton's idea of, Cambridge Street Park was chosen as the winning name." After naming the park, Ruth continued to try and, have the area improved, but says very little was ac- complished. She explains "the neighborhood kids went to the Parks Department and got some paint and painted the equipment, but that was about it." Finally, in April of 1980, Ruth was able to express her ideas at an Ontario Neigh- borhood Improvement Program (ONIP) meeting. Fifty-one residents of the Cambridge Street area at- tended the meeting and most thought 'that the park space needed a community centre. Ruth says "we wanted a building where the kids could playbasketball or volleyball." • As well as suggesting the construction of a building, many residents voiced their concern aboat the sorry state of the park. One of the concerned parents, Gwen Kiar, told the ONIP committee that she was supportive of the recreation complex providing that the present playground equipment was also upgraded. That remark was all that Ruth needed to hear. She introduced herself to Gwen and says "with Gwen's in- terest and my interest, we proceeded to start working together on the park idea." The first step was handled by Gwen who, having worked as a commercial artist in the past, was able to design the playground area. In her design, Gwen proposed a park which could be used for people of all ages. In the plans she included a 12 foot high toboganning hill, a tricycle or jogging path, a games area, a roller and ice skating rink and flower gardens. Instead of suggesting that all new playground equip- ment be purchased, Gwen decided to incorporate the old with the new. After Gwen finished the plans and drew the blueprints, both she and Ruth approached the Commissoner of Works, Ken Hunter. Hunter who proceeded to have a cost estimate done on the plans informed the two ladies that the park would cost approximatley $71,800. "That still didn't discourage us':" Ruth says. "We approached the Parks Board and asked for $1,500 so we could start the project. It was then that Mr. Hunter suggested that the park Cambridge Street park drawing by Gwen Kiar O Safe, 04' Fufufe. Ice andRoller Skofln9 Ronk- 70' Ork7o' X 45 Site. of Fu+u i e GcmeS Area T� Jr,c(ude- B(1Skttball Sh u-ff l e. boct,nd Four - Square, 4401 Hop Sco+d" could be constructed in three phases" Ruth explains. The first phase included the installation of the slide, sand box, teeter totters, baby swings, flower gar- dens, trees, log bridge and the right side of the pathway. This was to be completed by the end of 1982. Phase two would see the tobogganing hill completed and the games area would be completed in phase three.• After listening to Hunter's suggestions Ruth and Gwen organized a neighborhood meeting and invited anyone who ° wanted to offer suggestions or help with the park. "Only five families came to the meeting" Ruth says "but then the work started and there has been alot of interest ever since." When the construction began, Katimavik par- ticipants carried out the majority of the work. The crew was supervised by the Parks Department but the participants performed the actual labor. "I don't think the people of this town know how hard 'those kids worked" Ruth says. She adds "some of the things they did were to, lay all the sod, put down the G`ntrance,. a^de mile To99in3 9rid Bee Bo i r to Tho-hiI 1 ..IDE =� AREA .. Qr. 1' io PeS O ErtrY hce Ste �c X45:- paw I I l I I 1 I t 1, I ,, i v' Ch11d�SwrirgS wales Fo u. nta irs 0 Enna •RINGS •NECKLACES *BRACELETS •BEADS J�traO•end 51 ST. DAVID, GODERICH S24.9972 ' If you're NEW. IN TOWN and don't know which way to turn, call the 1/(fli-oinNlqq7 hostess at 524-7165 you'll be glad you did Why Wait For Spring!!! COME TO Baker's Nursery NOW... and pick out field grown specimen trees. -Also for Windbreaks We have -*POPLARS *CEDAR 8 EVERGREENS Baker's Nursery R.R. 2 Bayfield 482-9995 —CLOSED SUNDAY— quality merchandise at a fair PRICE balance beams, seed, paint and cement the ecgihipment in place and they raked the chips which form the covering on the path." Once the Katimavik crew began their work, Ruth and Gwen were approached by neighbors who also wanted to help. Residents volun- teered not only their time but also donated the use of construction equipment. At the same time as the Katimavik crew was working, paving was being done on Cambridge Street. So, the old gravel was taken from the street and dumped in the park for the tobogan hill. Before Ruth and Gwen knew it, both phases one and two had been completed and the total cost was a mere $1,500. "It's surprising when neighbors get together what they can do without having to pay alot of money" Ruth says. John Doherty, chairman of the Parks Department agrees. He says "we were kind of handicapped money wise and I am happy we were able to do as much as we did." He adds "I really appreciate what the people in the neighborhood have done and the amount of work they have put .into it. They are the ones that deserve the credit." Next year Ruth and Gwen hope that phase three will be completed. Ruth says "our main project right now is to see the rink section in- stalled." • Gwen adds "we want it so any kid can come and put on a pair of skates and have some fun without having to pay money." Ruth clarifying what Gwen has said, adds "this park is not just for the kids in this neighborhood. It's for all the kids in the town." As well as inviting children to us park area, Ruth and G say the kids are also welcome to participate in the activity time at the Community . Centre. "On Sundays from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm ,children are more than welcome to come and take part in whatever we are doing" Ruth says. She also adds '`we need 'parents to act as volunteers in supervising the children. There really isn't much involved, all we need is to have an adult there; when the kids are. It would ' be appreciated if any parent who is interested, would contact Gwen or myself." 1982 TAXES THIRD AND FINAL INSTALMENT DUE FRIDAY OCTOBER 22'82 Payable at any local chartered bank or Vic- toria & Grey Trust Company. Present your tax bill when making payment. Interest will be added to overdue in- stalments. Larry J. McCabe Tax Collector THIS 15 YOUR TOWN --- GET OUT AND VOTE F OUND 0 ENSIBLE INCE. R CANADA SAVINGS BONDS H. BRUCE ERSKINE 86 North 5t. 524-9555 *Reside at 134 Widder St. *Wife Pat (Buchanan) & daughter Connie *Owner and err* r-Bfll Clifford, Real a,.':...:.. Estate ___ *:President_Hur_on liea-iEsF re Board Admiin str.ntiOn_•-- PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: *2 Tears Councillor *2 Years Deputy Reeve *2 Years Reeve VOTE BILL CLIFFORD fo,To.ncound ON NOVEMBER 8th GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1982—PAGE 7 To Buy your CANADA SAVINGS BONDS Just call us! FULL SERVICE - NO LINEUPS Also available - 4 25% UP TO • 5 YEAR -ANNUAL INTEREST *Fully Guaranteed - No Fees *Subject to change James From INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES L 482.7612 MIDLAND DOHERTY LTD. 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