Harriston may soon have a new downtown park in an unexpected location – above the Maitland River.
With the working name of Tannery Park, the currently vacant lot is located between the Remax office and Friends Caring and Sharing along Elora Street (Highway 9).
In that part of town, the river actually flows beneath a number of downtown buildings and, at one time, the proposed park location was no exception. Currently, the view from the main street is a number of metal support beams spanning the river.
If the park proceeds, all that would change. The metal beams would be covered in decking that would support benches, interpretive panels, planters and a guard rail.
A sliver of the property would still overlook the river below, but also provide a mural location that could focus on the town’s heritage. Proposed for the rear of the property are shade trees, plantings and gravel paths extending from the site of the steel structural beams.
The project was first announced at a recent mayor’s breakfast with George Bridge. Already, groups such as the Harriston Kinsmen Club are on board.
Club president Michael Lawless was at council on April 19 to discuss a collaboration with the town for redevelopment of the site.
Lawless said, “We in the Kinsmen Club have often talked about doing something with the parcel of land beside the Remax office.”
He added the idea first cropped up four years ago, but the club’s hands were tied because it was not town land, and it was not accessible.
“When we heard the News it was bought by the town, we were quite pleased.”
He hopes work can continue as a community project.
Lawless said having viewed the drawings of the proposed park, it seems clear the town has been working on the project a bit longer before “letting the goose out of the bag.”
Bridge said, “Until you have the property, you don’t have it.”
Lawless said since the town has plans in place, he hopes the local Kinsmen will be able to offer financial support – or if possible, work on the project.
He said the Kinsmen Club is one of the largest service groups in Harriston, and he’d like to see the site developed to the best of its capacity.
Bridge explained the intent is to secure the land and then seek community support.
“We had some initial drawings and preliminary engineering reports.” He said council had to get some of the “nuts and bolts” together to determine if the project could be done before the town bought the property.
The municipality also had to work with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority.
Bridge thought it is great to have the Kinsmen support for the project. He said earlier that day councillors attended a ceremony in Clifford, where a combination of local efforts resulted in the renovation of the local cenotaph.
Bridge sees those types of partnerships as the future for the community. He believes the next step is getting interested partners together shortly.
“Our idea is to get this going as soon as possible.” He hopes to have the project underway this summer.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked if Tannery Park is going to be the name.
Bridge stressed it is only a working name.
In later discussion, he said this an exciting development, and noted the site has been vacant for many years.
He added the intent is to have a walkway across the property, and he is pleased to see the support of the Kinsmen.
“We’ll be able to do a neat job and do something for the Harriston community – with the help of the Kinsmen and, hopefully, some other groups will come forward. We really look forward it.”
Purchase of the property was finalized on April 19.
