“A perfect opportunity to be reconnected with peers,” is how one town employee describes the upgrade to a popular park in Antigonish.
Manager of Parks and Recreation, Tricia Cameron says, one of the things they learned coming out of COVID is, people want to be reconnected.
Due to the pandemic, she says, the equipment that was ordered last November, for Arbour Drive Park, was delayed.
Cameron tells us, it finally arrived Monday and crews have been on-site, replacing the old pieces that had been greatly used since the mid-80’s, and outlived their life expectancy.
“There were a couple of swing sets, some climbing equipment …and we are not sure if it was a rocking horse or a dragon…it was pretty unrecognizable. And of course, when we did our safety inspections, we were politely asked that it was all taken out, it was well past its prime.”
Cameron says the fresh new equipment is for everybody and is inclusive.
“We’ve got some sensory pieces, we’ve got some climbing pieces, we’ll have some pieces that are accessible from a wheelchair.”
Great spot
Residents are excited for the new upgrades with a space that will cater to everyone.
Camerson says it is a “multi-generational” spot that will have benches, picnic tables and just plainly a “beautiful area to enjoy the sound of the river.”
They have had a great response, she says, from families, individuals and even older adults like grandparents who come with their grandchildren.
Two phases
The installation of equipment is phase one.
This was funded by the Town of Antigonish and Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, through their Recreational Facility Tourism Grant.
The second phase is a walking trail.
They have put out a request for quotations for the development of this, which is expected to be about 1km and wrap around the circumference of the park.
The new equipment is expected to be ready for use, by Friday.