Best in class

Council endorses Benson Park Master Plan

Benson Park has been a central hub in Picton since 1946 when the property and building were donated to the town of Picton. In the 1950s the building and park were used as overflow for the school board. In 2017, through grants and reserve funds, the revitalization of Benson Park was initiated with new pathways, lighting, signage, site furnishings, play equipment and the resurfacing of the tennis court converted to a multi-use court. Public washrooms were also installed at the rear of the hall during this revitalization of the park. The park now serves as a location of activity for family gatherings, Canada Day celebrations, BIA events, theatrical performances, meetings, outdoor dining, and a place for children to play.

In 2020, a capital project of $100,000 was approved and was intended to replace the old playground equipment with a natural playground, but due to the pandemic and the safety challenges in the park, changes were put on hold until a master plan could be completed.

At Committee of the Whole last Thursday, Council was presented with a Benson Park Master Plan—as well as a new, increased dollar figure—for a redesign. The first phase, which would include moving the current playground, would cost $300,000. The total cost of the Master Plan would be around $700,000.

County staff are hopeful that more funding for the improved park, especially for the gazebo, adult recreation area and benches, can be obtained by alternate sources such as government funding, corporate grants or sponsorships.

Scott Wentworth, President of Wentworth Landscapes, presented the plan which he said incorporated feedback from both the community and local OPP detachment. Wentworth told Council a lot of work had gone into the master plan to make a fully accessible park. “It shouldn’t be that children who have accessibility needs go off and play in this portion of the park while the rest go and play over here. It really is an equality of that diversity and accessibility that the children play together. There’s no barriers to it that way,” said Wentworth.

Some highlights of the plan include diverse and accessible play equipment, a large fitness obstacle course, a separate play area tailored to younger kids, a 26-foot gazebo and lawn event space, and a pedestrian loop. A main change is the relocation of the play equipment to a more centralized space rather than tucked away in the corner where there are no sightlines.

Councillor Janice Maynard worried about the loss of the large green space currently at the park. “That big open piece of green space where they currently just run, is not the same. It seems like a lot of equipment for a park that size,” she said.

Wentworth did agree that there was some loss of green space. “It is very important to have that in the park space. There is still some green space, but not as much as there would be. There are lots of spaces with green space within just a few blocks. This is something that in the overall recreation master plan, it might address those things as well,” he said.

Councillor Phil Prinzen said his only complaint was not having the funds to build five parks such as this concept. “As adults we have to show our kids by example and if our kids are over on slides and swings and all that stuff, because you’re not going to chase a 12-year-old, you’re going to sit on the bench. So, people have to look after themselves and if there’s opportunities, I like it.”

Councillor Maynard pointed out that there are numerous parks slated to be updated, but none of them are getting an upgrade quite like this one. “With our new Strategic Plan, where it indicated the money will be spread fairly through the County, we’ve got major parks in other areas that have little, or when they did get an upgrade, it was the $100,000 upgrade. Wouldn’t it be fairer to give each park something then go back around and do it again?”

CAO Marcia Wallace explained the approach to Council. “I don’t disagree that this would be best in class park for us, but I think that is something that we should be aspiring to across our geography,” she said. “So why Benson Park first? We had a 2020 project that had money set aside, and the council at the time asked us to go away and come up with a plan before the money got spent. I agree with this report in terms of the approach of getting endorsement on a vision so we can go seek additional funding sources.”

The plan can be viewed here.