Stratford’s ‘real gem’ of a waterfront park one step closer to completion

The topsoil has arrived and grass can be planted quickly at Stratford, P.E.I.’s new waterfront park. 

The world was dwelling to the city’s sewage lagoon, and was identified for the pungent aroma it could typically produce. 

Building has continued all winter to arrange the positioning, and as soon as the topsoil is unfold throughout the subsequent week or so, seeding will start.

“As quick as that grass grows and it turns into stable, then folks will have the ability to come right here and benefit from the house,” mentioned Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden. 

“These fences are all going to come back down. It will be broad open. The park house right here, the inexperienced house, can be accessible all summer season.”

The house known as Michael Thomas Waterfront Park — named after the well-known Mi’kmaq distance runner, who can be a member of the P.E.I. Sports activities Corridor of Fame and was the primary Islander to run within the Boston Marathon. A statue in his honour is already within the park.

There’s now a path that goes from the Hillsborough Bridge, by way of the inexperienced house and connects to the Trans Canada Path. 

There may even be a boardwalk within the park that can be accomplished in the summertime or early fall. 

It is one thing that provides a lot to our leisure portfolio— Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden

“We had talked about having Canada Day right here. We simply need to err on the facet of warning … so we’ll have it at Tea Hill once more this 12 months, ” Ogden mentioned.

“However, finally, it will likely be situated right here. That is the plan for for subsequent summer season. It will positively be situated right here.”

‘Met our challenges’

The city’s director of recreation, tradition and occasions can be wanting to see inexperienced grass rising quickly within the waterfront park. 

“The timeframe has been a problem so far. It is taken a little bit bit longer than we initially anticipated,” mentioned Jeremy Pierce.

“As with every massive challenge, you already know, whether or not it’s funding or be COVID, it was positively a problem for us over the previous two years. However I believe we met all our challenges, and we’re very near having a wonderful park.” 

Pierce mentioned having a park on the waterfront will give Stratford an area alongside the strains of Level Nice Park in RisePEI and Centennial Park in Moncton.

“Our group is based on the Hillsborough River. It’s such an necessary legacy for our group, and nonetheless performs an necessary position,” Pierce mentioned.

“There isn’t any higher panorama or vista than the Hillsborough River, in order that’s a big attraction in itself. It’s totally effectively acquired throughout the river at Victoria Park in Charlottetown, and we count on the identical form of of utilization right here with our Michael Thomas Waterfront Park.” 

Ogden mentioned the world may even pay tribute to the historical past of the Island’s indigenous folks, with a brand new deck being constructed across the statue of Michael Thomas. 

Passive recreation

Ogden mentioned there are plans so as to add to the positioning over the following 20 years, based mostly on the supply of funding — with a complete price ticket of about $12.5 million.

“The following steps can be building of a fireplace pit, an amphitheatre gathering place, a coated farmer’s market, a creative place the place folks can present their wares and promote their wares,” Ogden mentioned.

“There’s going to be little or no hardscape, although. There’s going to be only a few buildings or something like that. It may be a passive recreation space. There will be no soccer video games or something right here.”

Ogden mentioned the city had a number of consultations with residents on the idea for the waterfront. 

“We’re fairly assured that this space can be one thing that residents need, and one thing they are often pleased with, as a result of all people contributed, all people was engaged within the growth, and within the planning,” Ogden mentioned. 

“Now we’re on the execution stage, and we’re constructing one thing that can be a legacy for the longer term for our group.” 

Ogden mentioned he predicts the waterfront park will develop into a vacation spot, each for residents and guests. 

“It is one thing that provides a lot to our leisure portfolio,” Ogden mentioned. “It is a wonderful place to benefit from the sundown, to see the sailboats, to stroll on the seaside. It may be only a actual gem.”