City gets some fresh ideas for revitalizing Paterson Park

A small group of Thunder Bay residents went to city hall Thursday night with some big ideas on how to revitalize Paterson Park in one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods.

"[The park is] a place where people, especially with the new courthouse, might want to go and have their lunch. People who live in the neighbourhood could come and play on a splash pad. I had mentioned things like accessible picnic tables with inlayed game boards," said Richard Boon, who grew up in the area and still works there.

"I think it wouldmake people safer in the area. There's definitely safety concerns in that area, and if you bring more people and get them more involved and active in areas, then that tends to drive away the undesirable component of the neighbourhood," Boon said.

About 20 residents turned up for the town hall meeting. Linda Bruins was there representing the community organization Evergreen a United Neighbourhood from the nearby Simpson-Ogden area.

Bruins said the most important part of the park's revitalization is getting more people to use it. She said that would make the whole neighbourhood safer.

"The south side has had a tough time, y'know. It's had its ups and downs, but I think it would just spruce it up. We have to get ... remove the stigma. Simpson-Ogden has had the stigma; we're busting that. Let's bust the stigma of Paterson Park," Bruins said.

Resident Holly Allen said bringing more people to the park will help the whole area. "I think it would be a big boost to the south core, in that it would be a drawing card, and people would come and share our little special park the same way that people would go to Marina Park."

Other ideas presented at the meeting included everything from a playground and a fire pit to street vendors and a festival site.

McKellar Ward Coun. Paul Pugh said he was hoping for a bigger turnout, but he liked what he heard.

"I thought they put forward some very good ideas, so I was impressed," he said.

Pugh said he wants to see more amenities for the seniors and young families in the area.