posting
04-14-2007, 08:28 PM
MPNA update: Park upgrades * Spring Park Cleanup - local food events
Greetings all,
As Kingston struggles to wrestle free of winter's grip, I am reminded that I have not reported to the MPNA in many weeks. The main reason is that there simply wasn't much news to report. Now there is.
1) The first item of business is the McBurney Park Renewal Plan that was co-developed by the MPNA and the City of Kingston a couple of years ago to outline a strategy for various park upgrades. Last year it resulted in the installation of a new central planter, new benches, a new (supposedly temporary) walkway light and a couple of young trees. That was an encouraging start, but the concern right now is that some of the other work specified in the plan is falling behind schedule.
For example, according to a McBurney Park Tree Management Plan also drawn up by the City, several large dead or dying trees have yet to be removed and new ones planted. Others need to be pruned so that large dead branches don't become a safety hazard. More benches and picnic tables are also needed, and a plaque describing the park's history has yet to be installed. Then there's the playground equipment, which needs upgrading or a complete replacement. Finally, many MPNA members are wondering when new lighting will be installed along the walkways (whichXòQxn*ÿÿÿÿx7 , incidentally, could use repaving).
One reason for the work backlog is the well-known fact that the park is a former cemetery, so digging a hole in any part of it today costs a small fortune because archeological work must be done first. Also, organization of City departments last year left responsibility for the Renewal Plan somewhat in limbo. The good news is that, this year, City Council budgeted $150,000 specifically for the Renewal Plan. As I understand it, money from other parts of the budget may also be applied to the park. Mark Fluhrer, the Director of the Culture & Recreation Department at the City, is meeting with his senior managers later this month to map out a priority list and schedule for McBurney Park projects in 2007. Afterwards, hopefully before mid-May, he and the relevant managers will share their plans with the MPNA. I will update you on the results of this meeting.
If you have any suggestions for park improvements that I haven't referred to, please pass them along to me at alecross@sympatico.ca.
2) The annual McBurney Park Spring Cleanupwill be held, rain or shine, in the park at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day. Please bring work gloves, a couple of plastic garbage bags, and a rake or two. Everyone is welcome. For more information call Tom Carpenter at 613-549-3051.
3)Vegetables Unplugged is a new local-food cooperative based on Wolfe Island. (Some of the farmers live in the MPNA area.) For a $500 fee, participants get a weekly basket of vegetables organically grown on the island. The season runs from May 31 to Oct. 11th. An information night on Vegetables Unplugged is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at the Wolfe Island Bakery, 311 Queen St., from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information call 613-547-8585 or emailvegetablesunplugged@gmail.com (vegetablesunplugged@gmail.com).
4) While we're on the subject ... Food Down the Road is a initiative that engages farmers and consumers in a long-term effort to develop markets that can support farming, processing and distribution of locally grown food within a 100-km area around Kingston. The group hosted a wildly successful food event a couple of weeks ago, and now it's organizing another. Hungry for Health: Taking Steps Toward Local Food for All is an event where guest speakers from Waterloo, Peterborough and Toronto will share their experiences in creating sustainable food networks. It takes place on Monday April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Davies Hall at St. Lawrence College. Admission is free. For more information contact Wendy Luella Perkins at 613-549-3102 or wendy@visionweaver.net (wendy@visionweaver.net), or Andrew McCann at 613-767-4127 or mccann17@yahoo.com.
5) The Skeleton Park Music Festival, which cooincides with the MPNA's Summer Solstice festival, is gearing up for its climax in the park on June 23. As we did last year at the festival's wildly successful premiere, the MPNA will provide games for kids, a craft table and a lemonade stand, among other attractions. But we need volunteers to staff the various tables & activities. If you're willing to puXòQxn*ÿÿÿÿx7 t in an hour or two, please contact Mark Peters at 546-3709 or mark.peters@sympatico.ca.
That's all for now. See you in the park!
Alec
Alec Ross
Co-ordinator
McBurney Park Neighbourhood Association (MPNA)
www.mcburneypark.ca
Greetings all,
As Kingston struggles to wrestle free of winter's grip, I am reminded that I have not reported to the MPNA in many weeks. The main reason is that there simply wasn't much news to report. Now there is.
1) The first item of business is the McBurney Park Renewal Plan that was co-developed by the MPNA and the City of Kingston a couple of years ago to outline a strategy for various park upgrades. Last year it resulted in the installation of a new central planter, new benches, a new (supposedly temporary) walkway light and a couple of young trees. That was an encouraging start, but the concern right now is that some of the other work specified in the plan is falling behind schedule.
For example, according to a McBurney Park Tree Management Plan also drawn up by the City, several large dead or dying trees have yet to be removed and new ones planted. Others need to be pruned so that large dead branches don't become a safety hazard. More benches and picnic tables are also needed, and a plaque describing the park's history has yet to be installed. Then there's the playground equipment, which needs upgrading or a complete replacement. Finally, many MPNA members are wondering when new lighting will be installed along the walkways (whichXòQxn*ÿÿÿÿx7 , incidentally, could use repaving).
One reason for the work backlog is the well-known fact that the park is a former cemetery, so digging a hole in any part of it today costs a small fortune because archeological work must be done first. Also, organization of City departments last year left responsibility for the Renewal Plan somewhat in limbo. The good news is that, this year, City Council budgeted $150,000 specifically for the Renewal Plan. As I understand it, money from other parts of the budget may also be applied to the park. Mark Fluhrer, the Director of the Culture & Recreation Department at the City, is meeting with his senior managers later this month to map out a priority list and schedule for McBurney Park projects in 2007. Afterwards, hopefully before mid-May, he and the relevant managers will share their plans with the MPNA. I will update you on the results of this meeting.
If you have any suggestions for park improvements that I haven't referred to, please pass them along to me at alecross@sympatico.ca.
2) The annual McBurney Park Spring Cleanupwill be held, rain or shine, in the park at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day. Please bring work gloves, a couple of plastic garbage bags, and a rake or two. Everyone is welcome. For more information call Tom Carpenter at 613-549-3051.
3)Vegetables Unplugged is a new local-food cooperative based on Wolfe Island. (Some of the farmers live in the MPNA area.) For a $500 fee, participants get a weekly basket of vegetables organically grown on the island. The season runs from May 31 to Oct. 11th. An information night on Vegetables Unplugged is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at the Wolfe Island Bakery, 311 Queen St., from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information call 613-547-8585 or emailvegetablesunplugged@gmail.com (vegetablesunplugged@gmail.com).
4) While we're on the subject ... Food Down the Road is a initiative that engages farmers and consumers in a long-term effort to develop markets that can support farming, processing and distribution of locally grown food within a 100-km area around Kingston. The group hosted a wildly successful food event a couple of weeks ago, and now it's organizing another. Hungry for Health: Taking Steps Toward Local Food for All is an event where guest speakers from Waterloo, Peterborough and Toronto will share their experiences in creating sustainable food networks. It takes place on Monday April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Davies Hall at St. Lawrence College. Admission is free. For more information contact Wendy Luella Perkins at 613-549-3102 or wendy@visionweaver.net (wendy@visionweaver.net), or Andrew McCann at 613-767-4127 or mccann17@yahoo.com.
5) The Skeleton Park Music Festival, which cooincides with the MPNA's Summer Solstice festival, is gearing up for its climax in the park on June 23. As we did last year at the festival's wildly successful premiere, the MPNA will provide games for kids, a craft table and a lemonade stand, among other attractions. But we need volunteers to staff the various tables & activities. If you're willing to puXòQxn*ÿÿÿÿx7 t in an hour or two, please contact Mark Peters at 546-3709 or mark.peters@sympatico.ca.
That's all for now. See you in the park!
Alec
Alec Ross
Co-ordinator
McBurney Park Neighbourhood Association (MPNA)
www.mcburneypark.ca