Check out Paris Optimist Skatepark expansion plans during July 24th open house

As we reported earlier this year, the Paris Skatepark will see an expansion this year!

A total of $245,000 was allotted in the 2024 County budget for the expansion as well as $415,000 for the Burford Skatepark construction.

The Paris Optimist Skatepark was constructed in 2012 – a project spearheaded by the Paris Optimist Club. It’s a well-utilized park for residents of all ages. When it was originally created, budget constraints prevented plans from including a bowl type feature.

The County of Brant confirmed this week in a social media post that the concept for this expansion is complete and they are inviting the public to check it out during an open house on Wednesday, July 24th at the Syl Apps Centre from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and comments before the final design is approved. Reconstruction of the park is currently underway. Proposed plans for the new park will likely feature a concrete bowl feature, fulfilling the original vision for the park. The addition of a concrete bowl will enhance the park’s offerings, and will provide new and exciting challenges for all skaters

If you can’t get out to see the proposed plans on July 24th , share your thoughts online, visit Engagebrant ca/ParisSkatePark

Meanwhile the Paris Optimist Club is thrilled with the expansion news and is in full support of the long awaited second phase of this project. Through its bottle drives held a few times a year, the club has set aside $10,000 for site amenities, such as additional benches and garbage cans.

An RPT prepared by the County of Brant notes that once construction starts on the expansion of the park, the Two Rivers stadium will be decommissioned and the greenspace will remain as parkland. There are plans to build ball diamonds to replace the Two Rivers Stadium in a yet to be revealed location in the next couple of years

County of Brant staff are inviting residents to an open house on Wednesday, 24th where they will introduce new design for the next phase of the Paris Optimist Skatepark located on Elm Street. The open house will run from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Syl Apps Community Centre.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull