On the heels of making a similar motion for Millpond Park in Bloomfield last month, Council is designating planned improvements at Wellington Park as a project of community interest.

Council made the designation at their June 10 meeting. It means community groups such as the Wellington Community Association can source donations and grants for the park. It also means the municipality can issue tax receipts to any donor who wishes to contribute to bettering the Main Street green space.

Peta Hall of the WCA’s Beautification Committee apprised council of the state of the park in a supporting deputation. Families and various service groups use the village glade for play, celebrations, and events. But its condition is labeled as neglected, bleak, and forlorn. The committee is eager to rectify that.

“We are, and have been, working with County departments and are led by a professional steering committee of Master Gardeners, County Garden Club executives, Native Plant Specialists and Landscape Designers and have a team of volunteers who are already at work on the park,” she explained.

Picking Native

The Committee has already sourced a half dozen 6 new trees donated by community members. Master Gardeners and County specialists carefully selected the varieties.

The improvement plan includes revitalizing existing beds with new plantings of colourful perennial native pollinators. More recent donations have allowed the committee to place plantings in the flagpole and entrance wall beds. The next project includes a long bed of colourful plants and grasses from the road to the water to hide what Ms. Hall calls the “unsightly bedraggled metal fence” on the west side of the park.

“We believe it will make a major improvement to the ‘look’ of the park and brighten that area considerably,” she told Council. “We have a donor who is willing to fund the entire plant selection with echinacea, rudbeckia, coreopsis, dense blazing star, sunflowers, purple hyssop etc. and different native grasses, not only will it hide the unsightly decrepit fence, but will add colour to that drab area and even add winter interest.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson admitted that during the 2017 Royal Visit by then Prince Charles and Camilla, the juxtaposition between the Royals standing next to a chain link fence that separates the Wellington United Church parking lot and the Park was jarring.

Next Steps

Future park plans call for strategically located native plant beds that allow space for park users and events such as a game of frisbee or kick ball. The committee also has a plan to convert the unused Merry go-Round into a round and unusual harvest table for families and groups to gather at.

Ms. Hall added a world renowned installation glass artist has shown interest in creating a solar lit tower, and there are early designs on placing wind sculptures at the Lake Ontario shore front.

Wellington Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer’s motion to designate improvements and beautification of the Wellington Park as a project of community interest received unanimous support.