Construction on Belleville’s Stanley Park playground to begin this spring

By Brittany Woodcock

BELLEVILLE – Stanley Park in Belleville’s east end will finally get a new playground after five years without it.

The park off Oak Ridge Boulevard hasn’t had a playground since 2015, when the old one was removed because some of the equipment was deemed potentially hazardous.

In 2018, the city found $50,000 in its capital budget to fund the design of the park. Then in 2019, council added $200,000 to the project.

Last summer, city staff offered an online survey to Belleville residents to find out what they wanted the park to look like. It got over 750 responses. 

Council then requested proposals for the work last fall. The top three were selected and companies asked to speak to them at a public information meeting on Dec. 10.

Wentworth Landscapes of Picton had the winning proposal. Council approved the contract during a meeting on Jan. 13.

In a press release this week, the city’s general manager of transportation and operation services, Joe Reid, said the playground will enhance the surrounding community. 

“This is an ideal park location with exciting options for toddlers, children and youth,” the press release quotes Reid as saying. “Currently there is no significant community playground east of Herchimer Avenue.  This is an opportunity to create a playground in this part of the city and incorporate elements that will enhance positive play experiences.”