Ronald Lavallee Memorial Kiwanis Park Improvements

Public meetings were held on March 6, 2024, at Catholique Cathedral Early Years Campus, and on March 7, 2024 through Zoom to discuss the improvements at Ronald Lavallee Memorial Kiwanis Park. Approximately 30 residents attended the meetings.

Feedback was also received through email and an online survey through Get Involved Kingston from March 6 to April 5 to understand how people use the space. Feedback was collected from approximately 35 respondents.

During the meetings, the site analysis, project schedule and scope of park improvement were presented and park layout options. The improvements include:

• Replace existing playground and improve accessibility
• Create new pedestrian connections
• Replace the existing, unused park building with a new community gathering space, shade shelter, benches and picnic table
• Enhance and improve sports field and tennis courts

Summary of feedback on proposed playground

Over 70 per cent of respondents preferred park layout Option 2, where the playground is clustered with the splash pad and central shade shelter area.

• The existing location of the splash pad and the play equipment in the park was noted as a challenge for parents to supervise their children.
• The some of the top activities participated in the park include free play, playing on the playground, splash pad, walking, enjoying nature and biking. This aligns with the top valued amenities in the park being playground, trees, splash pad, seating area and open lawn.
• In terms of access to the park, most people use the existing south-central staircase. There was some interest in access from the north end of the park through the school yard for easier access to the north ball diamond.
• A few noted challenges related to parking access near the park and being able to access the park via a stroller or wagon except for the east side.
• There is an interest in shade and more seating near trees to provide shade during supervision of children.
• Existing swings, the curved slide and the monkey bar are the top favourite play features. There is an interest in net climbers, different and more risky play, particularly for older children.
• There is some interest in a water filling station.

Question for clarification

Will there be a washroom in the park?

• No. There is a portlet that is brought to the site currently. The existing building has not been used as a washroom for over 30 years. The current scope of the project does not include washrooms. A washroom may be considered in the future.

Will there be lighting in the park?

• There will be lighting under the new shade shelter. Given the proximity of park amenities to neighbouring homes, there are no plans to provide lighting beyond the shade shelter.

Will there be a pickleball court in the park?

• Given the proximity of the court to neighbouring homes, there are no plans to provide a pickleball court in the park. There are pickleball courts in the central part of the City including Polson Park, Compton Park, Riverview Park and Belle Park. Future court plans can be found on the Park and Recreation Master Plan.

Can the outdoor skating rink be provided in the park, it was there in the past?

• The City operated outdoor skating rink was moved to the Third Avenue open space years ago. It is approximately 8 minutes walk away. With unpredictable and warming climate, it has been a challenge to maintain natural outdoor rink spaces.

Will the design types considered be a natural playground?

• Typically, this type of equipment is implemented in parks with a more natural setting. Natural play equipment is more expensive and has a higher maintenance cost, thus, is not widely used for these reasons.