What's Up In the South End?

This fall should witness the beginning of an ambitious redevelopment plan for Deverill Square Park, one of Nanaimo’s oldest and best loved parks. The city of Nanaimo will begin upgrading all the play equipment in the park and installing state of the art equipment that will be accessible for both able and disabled children.

The Rick Hansen foundation has donated $50,000 to the project and the Gyro Club of Nanaimo have pledged a further $20,000 towards the effort. There are plans for a multi use court for the old basketball site, a walking path around the park, improvements to the curbs and parking, and a redevelopment of the North East boundary that blocks Irwin at Milton.

SECA has been talking with various groups including the Chinese Cultural Society, Snuneymeux First Nation and the Labour Council about developing a series of themed gateways into the park that would add aesthetic appeal and honour the rich history of the park and the cultural and industrial influences that shaped the neighbourhood.

In the meantime, new floodlights have been installed, youth soccer and the VI raiders are regularly using the park, various neighbourhood gatherings have taken place in the park over the past few months including our 15th annual Miners Heritage Picnic.

Watch for an open meeting with Parks and Rec this fall to brainstorm these and other ideas.

Deverill Square Park is the gem in our neighbourhood. The best way to keep it safe is to invest in it, show our pride in it, and play in it! For more information, call Douglas Hardie at 754.0677.

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