Park opening a huge success
Community members filled Creemore Village Green Saturday, celebrating its grand opening.
It is wonderful to see the hoarding removed and the park unveiled, restoring the flow to the Station on the Green, the Creemore Farmers’ Market, the Cenotaph and the library.
There hasn’t been a day since the opening that there haven’t been kids in the splash pad or people lounging in the park.
The opening ceremony on Saturday was attended by up to 500 people eager to see the new space and celebrate the important community milestone.
Creemore Community Foundation founders Stuart Lazier and Tony Arrell led the guest speakers thanking partners and contributors who helped bring to being the community connector, and landmark – TD Bank, Creemore Horticultural Society, the design team and consultant that led the community consultation process, Township of Clearview council, and the BIA. Evidence of large and small contributions from partners can be seen throughout the park and enhanced the opening celebration. The park is a result of input and collaboration, for example the input of long-time locals into the historical markers, the signage designed by Shane Durnford Studios, the restoration of the fountain, and the preservation of the beloved climbing tree. The old elements have been incorporated into the new ones to create a town centrepiece.
Arrell referred to the project as “a game changer for the community” and “a big boost to Mill Street.” He thanked all those involved in the evolution of the project and 300 donors who raised $4 million, noting that there are still opportunities to donate.
They noted it took four years to bring the project to fruition, from early talks with TD Bank to negotiate the donation of the land, to rigorous public input, pandemic delays, and all the detail work that went on behind the scenes.
Congratulations to all involved – those who made donations big and small, and everyone who supported Lazier and Arrell in their vision to gift Creemore with a new and improved public space.
The stage alone is an asset to Creemore – something you wouldn’t find in most larger communities. We are very excited to see how the stage is utilized by the community in the coming years.
The Creemore Village Green stage will be very active in the next while, starting with a rescheduled performance of the Sherri Jackson Band Friday afternoon, and continuing all afternoon on Saturday with programming to complement Copper Kettle Festival.
The momentum continues with Creemore Village Green serving as a venue for the Creemore Festival of the Arts with a not-to-be-missed appearance by Notorious Cree at noon on Oct. 2.
We know that the park will only get better with age, as the Horticultural Society begins planting its beds, as people settle in and a new generation makes memories.
