Future of local parks to receive further discussion at parks and rec committee

By Ron Giofu

Two Amherstburg parks were discussed at the inaugural meeting of the term for the town’s parks and recreation committee.

The parks and recreation committee heard an open house is being proposed for Malden Centre Park, with the town looking at June 9 as the date. Manager of parks and naturalized areas Annette Zahaluk told the committee the plan would be to have the open house from 3-6 p.m. The location was not finalized as of last Tuesday night’s meeting but Zahaluk stated efforts were being made to try and secure access to Malden Central Public School next door.

“We’re encouraging user groups to come to the table,” said Zahaluk.

Fencing was put up around the park in part to curb vandalism as off-road vehicles were tearing up the ground, she added, and user groups wanted fencing at the baseball diamonds for tournaments. Tennis courts could return but the town wants public feedback on where they should go, with the possibility of courts going to other parks like H. Murray Smith Centennial

Park.

The playground at Malden Centre Park was aging and no longer in a good location, with Zahaluk stating they are working to find a better location that is not near the field of play.

“Baseballs are flying a lot farther than they used to,” she added.

Councillor Peter Courtney, one of the three council appointees to the committee along with Councillor Don McArthur and Councillor Molly Allaire, said the fencing for the baseball diamonds hasn’t worked out as intended and can’t accommodate men’s baseball.

“That was a huge dropped ball,” said Courtney. “There’s no way men’s slo-pitch can play there.”

Zahaluk indicated the fencing could be repurposed elsewhere if it were to be removed.

The parks master plan is also due for an update, Zahaluk continued, with such plans having a five to eight year lifespan. The current parks master plan was finalized in 2018. She said the goal as it relates to the committee is for members to go over it and spend time looking at what needs to be updated and what plans should be.

“A lot of items were checked off from the 2018 plan,” said Zahaluk. “I’m very, very proud of that. There are still pieces missing but we are working on them.”

A plan for the Libro Centre also needs updating with it to be determined what amenities go there and how the plan will unfold. The committee indicated it wants to see plans and documents at their July meeting.

Other parks and recreation advisory committee members include chair Shirley Curson-Prue, vice chair Brinton Sharman, John Maceroni, Wes Ewer, and Leya Foster.