Council mulling over 5-year plan for Hollinger Park

City council is creating a five year plan to help budget for the city’s parks.

Most of the focus is on Hollinger Park at city council.  On top of planning events such as Canada day and concerts, there will be physical improvements.

Mayor Steve Black said there are three things already in the works for this year alone.

“We have a few activities planned for this year including the reconstruction of the parking lot, some work on the splash pad and there’s actually a community group who want to add some playground equipment to the park.”

City council is also encouraging families with young children to reach out to city hall and let them know what they would like to see happen, as they are the ones who use it most.

Councilor Andrew Marks said some people have already come up with ideas.

“This is a dialog that we need to keep alive and the idea a parent of somebody who uses and brings their children there as a key entertainment area in the summer was even something as simple as the parasails for sun deflection. “

This planning will coincide with the eventual closing of the open pit mine, as well as further evaluation and planning regarding the metals in the soil. As they make improvements on each section, they will reassess the soils again, to determine if the soils levels are fine, or if the soil should be replaced or capped.

Black also wanted to let people know that we are in good hands with the porcupine health unit.

“In terms of this the public health unit and public health Ontario is the lead in terms of health recommendations and I can assure you if the MOH in any of our discussion  with public health officials thought there was a risk to close down the park, her advice to me would’ve been to close down the park”

Council adds you can expect to see a few projects get underway this summer.