It’s been a popular park with children since it unofficially opened last October and now the playground located at the corner of Wellington Street East and Newfoundland Street has been officially named the William D. (Bill) Moody Lions Park.
The dedication and official opening, held last Saturday, also celebrated the Mount Forest Lions Club’s 75th anniversary and Moody, who served as a Lions member for 53 years up until his death in May of last year.
The local Lions Club donated $50,000 toward the creation of the park, coupled with a portion of a $98,000 Ontario Trillium grant received by Wellington North Township.
Prior to the ribbon cutting Moody’s wife Kaye said her husband would have appreciated the recognition. He was aware of the naming prior to his death, but was “surprised” she said.
Moody was well known in the community, having served on council for three terms. He was a teacher at the Mount Forest District High School up until his retirement.
He was a Lions Club district governor and international director and was instrumental in the creation of the Lions’ Guide Dog program. Moody was also named citizen of the year in 1995.
“Today we honour and remember a Lion who is so deserving of this dedication: Lion William (Bill) D. Moody was somewhat of an ambassador to Lions and to Mount Forest,” outgoing Mount Forest Lions Club president Colleen Copland said at the ceremony.
“Travelling the world for years with his wife Kaye as an international director promoting Lions and sharing stories from our own club and our community with the world, Lion Bill had a passion and dedication to Lions and because of him we have the Lions’ Guide Dog school in Oakville, Lions Quest, as well as 27 Lions clubs which Bill helped charter.
“These are just a few reasons why Lion Bill was so exceptional,” Copland added.
“So when it came time to the naming of this playground it was only fitting that we chose Lion Bill. We really would like to thank the community for their years of support and hope to see this playground full of fun and laughter for many years to come.”
Lions A-9 district governor Charles Liddle, representing the district’s 49 clubs, said he had met Moody and his wife on several occasions involving club business, including meetings in the couple’s home.
“I’d like to commend the Mount Forest Lions for dedicating this park to Bill and his family,” Liddle said.
The park includes playground equipment and a pavilion and trees donated by several area clubs.
Township director of recreation, parks and facilities Barry Lavers also thanked township staff and the Lions clubs in Arthur and Mount Forest for their contributions to park upgrades in both communities – and he noted the naming of the park.
“I’d like to thank Bill Moody’s family. It’s going to be a wonderful park,” Lavers told those attending the dedication.
Kaye Moody also received several certificates at the dedication, including one from the province of Ontario and one from the federal government.
