King Edward Park (Photo from Google Maps)
Grey Highlands is offering up a contract to construct a King Edward Park Master Plan Study as the municipality advances the splash pad project at the park.
Council approved issuing a tender for the development of the master plan study and continue work with the Markdale Splash Pad Committee to advance the project during a meeting on Sept. 4.
The King Edward Park currently has an arena and community hall, as well as a small storage building, riding ring, baseball field, basketball court, large parking area, bulk filling and dumping station, and the Walter Harris Library, and often hosts several events including the fall fair.
The request for proposal for the study comes as interest in new infrastructure projects at the park have risen in recent years including upgrades to the ball diamond, reconstruction of a snack booth, and splash pad.
Council approved receiving charitable donations for the splash pad to help advance the project.
In February, 2023, the representatives of the Markdale Splash Pad group proposed developing the splash pad at the King Edward Park. Later in September of that year, council approved in principle the community-led project, and an agreement was struck in December.
A report from Manager of Operations for Parks and Recreation Mike Botelho says, “with so many projects and requests coming forward related to the King Edward Park lands, the risk of not taking a strategic approach to park redevelopment may result in concerns for community safety within the park due to increased usage and traffic patterns, and increased costs over the long-term for site maintenance and upgrades.”
The key considerations the municipality would like to see in the master plan for the park includes a regular maintenance schedule and costs, identifying personnel needs, accessibility features, and program development. It will also feature specifics relating the splash pad including upgrading the system every five years and associated costs.
“By addressing these operational considerations, the municipality can ensure that the King Edward Park Master Plan is successfully implemented and the space provides value to the community for years to come,” says the report.
Both Coun. Joel Loughead and Nadia Dubyk say they were pleased to see the municipality proceed with a master plan.
“As long as I have been on council, I have been a vocal proponent of such a master plan, very happy to see this come forward,” says Loughead. “This in tandem with the redevelopment of downtown Markdale is just wonderful to see.”
