Lake Ontario Park

[the_burrhead]

I recently moved to Kingston. I love the area known as Lake Ontario Park. It's too bad the beaches slipped into oblivion, the attractions chased out, the trailer park closed (we are one of the few Cities that has an RV park within its borders for tourists), and now as late as yesterday the tenants around the park, were informed the municipality will no longer maintain the gardens in the lower portion of the park, behind the condos/apartments. I fear this property will get the "secret behind closed doors" treatment and the property will fall into hands of developers (two come to mind), to installl condos /apartments, in exchange for a healthy cash infusion to the municipality for other projects that need paying for. We mustn't let that happen. We need to put ideas forward now.

Mine...first off, re-install the beach and maintain it. Second, Upgrade the walking/ bike trail into the Lake Ontario trail system, runing from Picton eastward through Kingston (which is not completely achieved in our City), for all to use. I think most would agree to that.

As for the property use, I feel a Natural Science Facility funded by all levels of government, (such as the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto) be installed, that as an important tourism project to the area, could include an aviary, aquarium (not whale dolphin shows but rather smaller aquariums of coral and sea life), reptillium, insectarium, horticultural gardens,and a training facility for students in College/ university, in horticulltural, environmental studies, natural sciences or other related fields. It would also be used by junior and senior school kids as part of their curriculum and education about the environments and how us humans shoud have been interacting with it. Such an opportunity lies within that park. let us give the message to Council and those scavenging in the air for the carcass of what wil lremain of the park... DEVELOPERS HANDS OFF!

That's my idea..yes...no ...what's yours?..lets plant the seed for ideas before it is done for us.

[SLN]

I love that area too and go there frequently. I liked it better, of course, when there were signs of life there including the "tacky" park rides and concessions as well as the camp ground. Unlike city officials, who seem to treat that area as some kind of embarrassment or blight, I think most people enjoyed the quaintness of it.

I agree that it should remain a public space. Revitalizing or even outright building beaches should be a priority. I also like the windmill idea that has been suggested in the recent past. Personally I don't believe that the sight of giant blades turning in the breeze would be an eyesore - to me they would signify a commitment to better living, clean energy and nature.

I would really dislike seeing more 1000 King Street type buildings go up on the site. They are getting their wish with Block D already, and will no doubt be left with a basically deserted stretch of Ontario street once they are finished clogging it up with high-end residential parking lots, no trespassing signs and gates all along the waterfront. In my opinion, in a downtown space, it sould not be permissible to build residential-only highrises. Cafes, galleries, boutiques, produce vendors, butchers shops, etc should have been encouraged to spring up at the street level of the development. This would have helped with traffic concerns and it would have drawn tourists from Confederation Basin out further towards the Pump House Museum, where they are hurting for business.

But I digress...

Lake Ontario Park should be left largely alone. It is a gem of a space appreciated by many, many Kingstonians. I know that people do in fact drive there from the townships for an evening stroll or to spend a warm afternoon. However, in 'leaving it alone' we should not neglect it, but prop it up with careful attention to making that space more user-friendly, clean, and safe.

[macphail]

My wife and I were married at Lake Ontario Park. I would hate to see another cement tower built along the waterfront.

Cheers, Derek

[Lydia]

Wow, wow wow, if you three can come up with these wonderful ideas for Lake Ontario Park, HOW COME COUNCIL CAN'T????

You three are right on the money. This is a gem that tourists would flock too if it was maintained for tourists and residents as well. Theme Parks, (Disney type etc.) RV camping but done like the KOAs etc, Science Centres, Trails for Handicapped people, Bicycle Lanes, etc.

Why not the Multiplex with Outdoor sports, Track and Field sports with breachers for people who wish to be spectators, etc.

Our city council's idea, let it decay like that did with the arenas that they want to close now. I guess they want to make it beautiful like they did block D.