Jack Downing Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the revitalization of Jack Downing Park was held on Wednesday November 2, 2022. 

For more information on the revitalization of Jack Downing Park please see webpage Jack Downing Park Revitalization. 

Comments by Mayor Wade Mills are below.

Thank you for attending this ribbon cutting ceremony today for the revitalization of Jack Downing Park. First, I would like to take time and read the land acknowledgement.

We would like to begin by respectfully acknowledging that the Town of Shelburne resides within the traditional territory and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, including the Ojibway, Potawatomi, Chippewa and the People of the Three Fires Confederacy. These traditional territories upon which we live, work, play and learn are steeped in rich Indigenous history and traditions. It is with this statement that we declare to honour and respect the past and present connection of Indigenous peoples with this land, its waterways and resources.

Jack Downing Park is named after John Robert “Jack” Downing. Jack Downing was born in 1920 and passed away on January 17, 2014, at the age of 93. Jack advocated that the Town purchase the vacant land in 1998.  The history of the park is provided on our website.

The community consultation for the redevelopment of this park was significant. It started with the 2019 CIP “Community Improvement Plan and there was also a separate for the park in 2022. One of the CIP recommendations was to redevelop this park and to improve accessibility, provide a dedicated special event space, and be a space that can be used by and supports downtown businesses. A great example of how many people the park can now accommodate was evident on September 30, 2022, and the Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony. Staff estimated that more than 80 or more people attended. In the past the park could only hold about 30 people.

Key Accessibility Features of The Park

• Barrier free and Accessible Gazebo
• Accessible ground surface that is level, firm and stable so that canes, crutches, or the wheels of mobility devices will not sink into it
• Open space, for scooters and wheelchairs, located beside benches which removes the need to transfer to seating
• Benches with full back support and armrests to assist in sitting and standing – this especially useful for seniors
• Open space allows for easily accessible access while in the park
• Textured and coloured concrete for the visually impaired
• Sensory Garden including the musical instrument

As I mentioned we have added a barrier free and accessible gazebo which was made possible by the generous donation of the KTH associates. A plaque recognizing the $30,000.00 contribution donation has been installed. Please join me in thanking the KTH associates for their commitment to the community and to providing this gazebo.

As there has been some inquiries I am also noting that the wooden statue of William Jelly was removed due to deterioration and safety issues. The statue will be repaired and once completed it will be installed in the park.

Thank you again for joining us today and there are a number of upcoming events that will be celebrating and using this wonderful revitalized space, including the Santa Day photos on December 3, 2022 

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.