Tuesday, September 7, 2010

What is GENA and what's going on in Roxy Park???

A number of months ago, a small group of Glenelm neighbours came together to discuss what we could do about the sad state of Roxy Park (as well as some other local concerns). Those of us who visit it every day have observed a significant decline and neglect over the years, but we also recognize the park as a significant environmental and community asset. A few determined residents had in the past made their concerns known to elected and civic officials, but for a variety  of reasons, nothing seemed to change.

So we decided to start fresh, get organized and try to influence key decision-makers, sharing our vision for a revitalized Roxy Park.  We are happy to report that to date, we have been successful in working with the City of Winnipeg Park Services and Councillor Lillian Thomas to both identify and at least partially fund those improvements. For additional background and details, please see the separate post  'Elmwood Park Revitalization Project' and the link to our Google Groups page:  http://groups.google.ca/group/glenelmneighbours/web/roxy-park      

To demonstrate our commitment as residents, we agreed to join the City's 'Adopt-a-Park' program (which will include seasonal clean-ups and special projects, such as spreading wood chips this autumn) and we're currently planning a community celebration to take place in the park on the afternoon of Sunday, October 17th.  In addition to doing some maintenance work around the park on October 17th, we also hope to arrange entertainment for children and free refreshments for everyone.

Revitalization of Roxy Park is just the beginning: we know there are many other Glenelm residents of all ages who would like to be involved in making positive changes in our neighbourhood.  If you're interested in joining the GENA steering committee, assisting with funding applications or volunteering to help organize the October 17th event, please let us know by posting a comment here or sending an email to glenelmneighbours@googlegroups.com. Thanks!


Elmwood Park Revitalization

DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF WINNIPEG IN SUPPORT OF A LAND DEDICATION RESERVE FUND APPLICATION: 

1. Community need /support for the project

Residents of the Glenelm neighbourhood have been concerned about the decline and neglect of Elmwood (Roxy) Park for many years.

Long-time residents have shared memories of what the park looked like and how it was maintained from the 1940s to 1970s.  While no paved walkways existed at that time, there were well-maintained gravel pathways throughout the park, along with well-tended flower beds, cared-for shrubbery, a greater number of park benches and better sightlines from the front (Henderson Hwy) to the rear (Red River) of the park.  Dating back to the early 1940s, the park included a lily pond, complete with a fountain (a picture and description appears on the reverse side of a 1941 City of Winnipeg Trolley, Bus and Streetcar Map) as well as facilities families could use to barbeque.

Daily users of the park include families with children, teens, dog-walkers, runners and cyclists.  They have expressed a variety of concerns about and recommendations to improve the park, all of which were included in the presentation we delivered to the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee on July 13, 2010 (attached).

Concerns centered around five key issues:
1. Fairness - In comparison to other city parks, Elmwood Park has been neglected over the years and this must be remedied.

2. Safety – Enhanced and expanded lighting, sightlines and walkways are essential to the safety of park users and immediate investment is required.

3. Stewardship – Turf is damaged repeatedly in spring, summer and fall; trees have not been pruned or banded; there is poor drainage in the playground area; and there are too few garbage bins in the park.  All of these conditions impact the park’s resilience and limit usage.

4. Recreation – At present, there is one picnic table in the park, the wading pool appears to be poorly maintained and along with the bathrooms, offers very limited hours of access. The sandbox area does not appear to be clean, there are no barbeque facilities (available in a number of other parks) and winter usage is not encouraged.

5. Aesthetics – The park has no flower beds, a total of six park benches (all located in the playground area), unattractive and poorly positioned signage and suffers from the regular application of graffiti.

To address these concerns and revitalize Elmwood Park, Glenelm residents are committed to working with the City of Winnipeg.  One expression of this commitment is our recent enrollment in the Adopt-a-Park Program.  Wherever possible and to the best of our abilities, we will endeavor to work collaboratively to help the park reach its full potential.

2. Community consultation 
Informal community consultation has been ongoing since 2007.  Frequent users of the park have been canvassed for their input, as have members of the Glenelm School Parent’s Council and other residents throughout the neighbourhood.

The input collected from these consultations was synthesized and tabled at the July 13, 2010 presentation to the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee  (see attached Powerpoint presentation).

3. City of Winnipeg staff involved in project to date
- Jonina Ewart, Bill Ward, Bob Jack, Shauna Prociuk, Andy Farrer, Dale Karasiuk, Ken McKim, John Kiernan

4. Scope of work
Details to be determined in concert with the City of Winnipeg (Jonina Ewart), but key elements noted in #5, below.

5. Cost of estimates
Specific costs will be determined in concert with the City of Winnipeg (Jonina Ewart).  However, based upon budget figures generated by Parks Services in 2008 and the improvements we are seeking, rough estimates are as follows:

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES
Previously costed by the City of Winnipeg:
Upgrading of existing light standards in playground area                  
$17,804.00
Installation of new light standards in the rest of the park
$52,690.00
Repair/extension of paved pathways throughout the park
$65,230.00
Installation of grass mats beside old and new pathways  
$6,889.00
Re-grading of playground area to improve drainage       
$1,650.00
5 new picnic tables (preferably more)                             
$8,250.00
Repair existing park benches                                          
$2,860.00
Re-institute flower beds                                               
$2,770.00
Sub Total                  
$158,150.00
Not yet costed but estimated roughly:
8 new park benches outside of playground area        
 $13,000.00
5 new garbage bins outside of playground area       
   $2,000.00
Banding of elm trees throughout the park                
   $600.00
Sub-Total                   

$  15,600.00
TOTAL EXPENSE  
$173,750.00
ANTICIPATED REVENUE
Land Dedication Grant (Thomas) vote on Sept. 28, 2010      
$139,000.00
Land Dedication Grant (Browaty) - to be confirmed               
$34,750.00
TOTAL REVENUE                                                               
  $173,750.00

6.  Project Schedule 

We are hopeful work will commence in September 2010 and be completed by Spring 2011.  However, details will be determined in concert with the City of Winnipeg (Jonina Ewart).

7. Attachments

Glenelm Neighbourhood Presentation to EK-Transcona Community Committee, July 13, 2010
(link to: http://groups.google.ca/group/glenelmneighbours/web/roxy-park )