Parks Master Plan propels rejuvenation of Police Playground

North Bay City Council has approved a $125,000 contract with New World Park Solutions Inc. that will see new play equipment installed at Police Playground.

Council members spoke positively of the effect the Parks Master Plan is having and will continue to have on the community.

"I'm excited to see this. I appreciate the fact that we are moving forward with the Parks Master Plan," observed Coun. Scott Robertson. "I think often we have plans that sit on the shelf. We spend all the time putting together these plans but between the Active Transportation Plan and the Parks Master Plan, it's really nice to see things actually moving forward and those plans put to work."

Coun. Dave Mendicino called the Parks Master Plan a road map for this and future councils. "It's nice to see staff being aggressive by putting play equipment back in Police Playground."

See related: City eyes new playground equipment for underserved neighbourhood

Preparations are underway for new playground equipment at Police Playground on Stone Street as part of a larger revamp which includes a parking area, landscaping, pathways, benches, trees and rink boards. The playground equipment will be installed in late fall or early spring. pic.twitter.com/9Ban1OPFWr

— City of North Bay (@cityofnorthbay) July 13, 2022

Coun. Chris Mayne spoke of the "importance of investment in our youth," and Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch said she is pleased a once thriving play area will have a chance to attain that status once again.

"We're putting back something we took out a long time ago," Vrebosch said, "in an underserviced area in the core of the city."

Under its 2021 Parks Master Plan, the City of North Bay classified Police Playground, which has vehicular access from High Street via Stones Street and is bordered by King Street West, Princess Street West, and the rear of the First Baptist Church on Cassells Street (see map above), as a Neighbourhood and Community Park.

"Based on this classification there should be a play structure installed at Police Playground in order to meet the needs of the surrounding neighbourhood. There is currently no play structure in this park," reads the staff report. "Installing play equipment will meet the needs of the community and is an important part of the implementation of the Parks Master Plan."

Seven proposals were evaluated by the City and the proposal from New World Park Solutions Inc. scored highest, is considered fair and reasonable, and is deemed to provide the best overall value to the City.