Love My Park
The City of Welland parks system plays an important role locally and throughout Niagara. Nearly 400 hectares of active and passive parkland are owned by the City of Welland, over half of which is attributed to the Welland Recreational Corridor (approximately 242 hectares of land and waterway).
The Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Master Plan states, “Parks are dynamic places. They are hubs for community gatherings, physical activity, and to simply get fresh air. Well-designed Park systems offer social, environmental, health, and economic benefits and have the potential to bring people together.”
As parks play a crucial role within our community, the Love My Park initiative was created to encourage community engagement. There is no one better to help improve parklands better than those who use the parks. Parks are for all ages and we want everyone to feel their community park is their park to run through, sit and read, have a picnic, be active, or sit and enjoy the weather.
There are also several other reasons why community engagement is a key component to the Love My Park initiatives, first there is a sense of ownership when community members actively participate in the planning and execution of Love My Park events, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in their local parks. This sense of ownership leads to increased care and responsibility for the parks, resulting in better maintenance and preservation.
Another reason is collaboration and cooperation, when community members collaborate and cooperate with each other they are fostering a stronger sense of community. Working together on park improvement projects encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, break down barriers, and build relationships.
There are social and health benefits that go with park and parkland. Parks offer spaces for physical activities, relaxation, and social interaction, which contribute to improved mental and physical well-being. Engaging the community in these activities fosters a sense of belonging and social cohesion, enhancing community resilience.
Building a sustainable future for parks requires ongoing community engagement. By involving community members in the decision-making process and empowering them to take ownership, Love My Park initiatives can establish a foundation for continued support and stewardship. This long-term sustainability is essential for the preservation and enhancement of parks for future generations.
Love My Park launches this June, capturing the ideas and imagination of neighbourhoods throughout the city. In approaching this campaign, consider the following:
- Are the right amenities in the park based on the needs of everyone in the neighbourhood?
- What could be done to the park to ensure there is something for everyone for all four seasons?
- How can the park improve its identity and purpose for social gatherings and play?
- Could community safety improvements encourage more use of the park?
- Can the greenspace be used to help improve our ecosystem?
Engagement Dates and locations:
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DATE | TIME | 2023 CHOSEN PARK | RAIN DATE | WARD |
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Bridlewood Park | Thursday, June 22, 2023 | 1 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Gram Park | Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 4 |
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Bemus Park | Thursday, July 13, 2023 | 5 |
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Seaway Park | Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 6 |
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Glen Park | Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 2 |
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Hooker Street Park | Thursday, August 10, 2023 | 3 |
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Hooker Street Park
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Hooker Street Park is located at 65 Hooker Street and is comprised of approximately 3.75 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently is used as open space, but does have a small parking lot, a playground and a separate swing area that is connected by a connecting walkway and along with a few benches for sitting and enjoying the park. As well, this park is connected to Hooker Street Outdoor Tennis Club and Community Hall.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Hooker Street Park for all these reasons and more.
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Glen Park
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Glen Park is located at 54 Glen Park Drive and is comprised of approximately 5.52 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently has a large open space but is densely forested and has a swing area for residents to enjoy.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Glen Park for all these reasons and more.
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Seaway Park
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Seaway Park is located off Marc Blvd/Chantal Court and is comprised of approximately 8.13 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently has a large amount of open space, a playground and a separate swing area that is connected by a connecting walkway and along with a few benches for sitting and enjoying the park.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Seaway Park for all these reasons and more.
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Bemus Park
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Bemus Park is located at 71 Coventry Road and is comprised of approximately 4.41 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently has a large amount of open space, small parking area off Coventry Rd, 2 playground spaces and a separate area for swings, along with an area for baseball that is utilized by community groups in the summer months.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Bemus Park for all these reasons and more.
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Bridlewood Park
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Bridlewood park is located at 79 Bridlewood Drive and is comprised of approximately 3.24 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently is used as open space, but does have an old baseball backstop and a few player benches – the park is connected to rear field at Gordon School on Thorold Rd.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Bridlewood Park for all these reasons and more.
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Gram Park
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Gram Park is located at 64 Gram Ave and is comprised of approximately 1.12 Acres of Parkland Space. The park currently has a large amount of open space, a playground, and an area for an outdoor rink in the winter months.
Parks are so much more that playgrounds and places to walk the dog. Parks can connect us to nature, teach us about our environment, and provide a place of connecting and social interaction. Parks enrich our lives physically, emotionally, and economically. In addition, they make communities happier and drive property values up.
We are hoping you can help us improve Gram Park for all these reasons and more.
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Podcast Episode
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Have a listen to our Love My Park podcast episode!
Who's Listening
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Email dave.steven@welland.ca -
