Richmond Hill council approves Town Park master plan

Plan will see numerous enhancements over the years to city's first park

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 30, 2023

Richmond Hill council has approved the Town Park master plan, further committing to enhancing green spaces and recreational amenities as set out through the parks plan.

Town Park, located between Church Street South and Pugsley Avenue, was Richmond Hill’s first park. It opened in 1885 and for many years was the main site for the community’s sporting, civic and agricultural events. Today, the park area has grown and the master plan study area includes William H. Graham Parkette, the area around the Elgin Barrow Arena Complex, a baseball diamond, three tennis courts, a small woodlot, parking lots and the vacant lands at the southwest corner of Centre Street East and Pugsley Avenue.

Developed in consultation with the community, the multi-year master plan will see these enhancements and more over the coming years:

• Interpretive signs and an attractive gateway to showcase the park’s history
• A continuous walkway along Verne Dynes Way
• A larger ball diamond (Class A) will be constructed as the demands for softball facilities remain high in our community
• New pathways around the park
• A pollinator meadow
• Additional seating spaces including the picnic pavilions
• Revitalized playground
• Updated and colour-coated tennis courts, which will be multi-lined to allow for pickleball play
• A new trail in the wooded area that will be enhanced with new trees as space permits
• Artificial outdoor ice skating rink (subject to cost-benefit analysis)
• Permeable paving and enhanced landscaping in the parking area
• To learn more, visit RichmondHill.ca/ParksProjects.

 

“I cannot wait to see work begin on Richmond Hill’s very first park to modernize it and bring more people to it to appreciate its historic nature. Town Park has been well used and loved for more than 100 years and this revitalization will provide unique amenities and open space where the community can gather with their family and friends while staying active,” said Mayor David West.

Quick facts

• Town Park is a total of 5.3 hectares (13.1 acres) in size.
• The park’s baseball diamond was the home of Vern Dynes Jewellers, a softball team that won the world championship in 1972.
• Indoor ice facilities, first built in 1892, have been expanded and improved several times.
• Tennis courts have been present in the park for 114 years.
• The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame was relocated to Elgin Barrow Arena in 2014 to place it in a downtown location.