Refurbishment of the Alfred Skate Park

TOWNSHIP OF ALFRED AND PLANTAGENET REFURBISHES SKATE PARK THANKS TO $145,000 OTF GRANT FROM ONTARIO GOVERNMENT

Alfred, ON – On Saturday, the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet welcomed local MPP Stéphane Sarrazin to unveil the newly refurbished Alfred Skate Park. Manon Besner, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet was also on hand, along with Mayor Yves Laviolette, Chantal Roy, former Chair of the Township's former Recreation Committee, and a representative of the Youth Sub-Committee, all of whom contributed greatly to the project's success. Refurbishment of the skate park was made possible by a $145,000 capital grant from the Ontario government, $3,800 raised by the sub-committee, and a $5,000 donation from the Alfred Optimist Club.

"As the MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, I am proud to see the redevelopment of the skate park in Alfred,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. “This project, supported by a $145,000 grant from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, reflects our commitment to youth and the importance of providing safe and accessible recreational spaces. Through the collaboration of the community and partners like the Optimist Club and the youth subcommittee, we are creating an environment that will promote well-being and healthy activities for all the residents of our constituency."

The Alfred Skate Park project was born out of the 2021 youth approach that followed the submission of the 2020 Leisure and Culture Master Plan. Supported by major partners such as the Alfred Optimist Club, this sub-committee of young people aged 8 and over and their parents organized the highly successful Survivor obstacle course in Larocque Woods in 2023, to raise funds for the realization of their vision for a new skate park for the community.

“Surveys from our Parks and Recreation Master Plan showed that respondents were dissatisfied with the current skate park,” explains Parks and Recreation Director Manon Besner. “70% of respondents at the time indicated that they had to travel outside the Township to access skate parks. Without local access to recreational sites, young people can become bored and disengaged. We developed this initiative to meet the needs of our community and support the youth of the Township,” she adds. “The lack of resources for young people can lead to psychological distress and sedentary behavior, which has detrimental effects on mental and physical health. Children in our community lack important outlets that help them develop healthy attitudes.”

This project will also maximize the use of the skate park for residents who frequent the park by providing a safer environment through the replacement of worn ramps and wrought-iron accessories manufactured some 20 years ago. The new, more thoughtfully designed skate park, together with new equipment and lighting, will completely revitalize the space and extend the park's lifespan by several years.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to building healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested over $110 million in 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to improve economic well-being, encourage more active lifestyles, foster the development of children and youth, provide spaces where people can gather and communicate, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Contact

Simon St-Denis, Agent aux communications
Township of Alfred and Plantagenet
613-673-4797
sstdenis@alfred-plantagenet.com

Manon Besner, Directrice des parcs et loisirs
Township of Alfred and Plantagenet
613-673-4797
mbesner@alfred-plantagenet.com