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Those wanting a day at the park may soon choose Ripley’s Lewis Park once the renovations are complete. Above shows what the park should look like once the work is finished up. CLICK HERE FOR LARGER VIEW Ripley to see dazzling park re-build By Darrell Ziegler Lewis Park in Ripley will soon be looking a whole lot different thanks to volunteers and township staff. Huron-Kinloss council agreed to the plans outlined by administrator Mary Rose Walden at a recent meeting in Ripley. Walden says that she, along with clerk Sonya Watson, parks and recreation superintendent Mike Fair and Deputy Mayor Wilf Gamble have been working with a volunteer group for the better part of two years. “We began revisiting the Ripley streetscape study and have approved the plan,” she says. “Sean Kelly, a landscape architect from Stempski Associates in Elora has assisted us in critiquing our plan, developing the budget and producing the concept at no charge.” The main feature of the park will be a splash pad. Walden says a study indicated that people were interested in seeing a water feature in the park. Although the cost could be steep, about $233,000, she says the committee hopes to have the project finished in two to three years. “We are confident through grants, in-kind contributions, sponsorships and fundraising, we can obtain the monies to complete the project.” That was good news to council. “I don’t want to see taxes raised for this,” said councillor Jim Hanna. Walden says that she has been in contact with Suncor’s Pat Law. Law told her that during the “commissioning event,” which will take place in the fall of 2007, “typically Suncor will give a financial gift to the community for a specific project of $30,000.” Walden would like to see that money spent on the park in Ripley. “Another major source of funding is the Ripley Lions, as well as selling bricks to families that would be featured in the park.” There is currently $3,970 in a reserve for the park, which includes donations from the Reunion Committee and Friends of Ripley. The “Ripley Reserve” has another $50,000. Councillor Don Murray asked, “So you are short about $141,870?” Walden told him that they were only short $60,000. “It’s not that the budget is padded, but we did leave it high. We’re not sure about the tree carving and washroom costs.” She says the improvements would be phased in over three years. This year would see tree removals, possibly planting new trees and a refurbishment of the gazebo. Major development of the entrance feature and pathways would be done next year in conjunction with the county’s reconstruction of the streets in Ripley. “As well, depending on the fundraising, we would extend the project to 2009.” |
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