City of Peterborough Celebrating Bonnerworth Expanded Skatepark This Saturday

The City of Peterborough is celebrating the summer launch of the expanded skatepark at Bonnerworth Park and invites the public to come this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The day features skateboarding demonstrations, lessons and music.

The celebration kicks off with an open skate session. Residents can learn about the skatepark’s new features and the vision and design behind the park, including elements inspired by the Peterborough Lift Lock.  

Coy’s School of Skate will be on site offering tips and instruction for anyone looking to sharpen their skills from noon to 1 p.m. This session is free and open to everyone.  

The Lions Club is hosting a fundraising barbecue beginning at noon. All funds raised will go toward new equipment for the enhanced playground at Kawartha Heights Park. 

At 1 p.m., the 66 Thieves Skate Team will take over the park for a high-energy demonstration, showing off the possibilities of the newly expanded space. 

From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., a free skate and jam sessions are open to everyone. Skaters of all skill levels are welcome to participate, with chances to win prizes for best tricks on select obstacles.  

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Three Bonnerworth Park Pickleball Courts Closed Due to Vandalism

Three pickleball courts at Bonnerworth Park, including one accessible court, will not open as scheduled on Friday due to vandalism in the park.   

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

According to the City, earlier this week, rocks and high-visibility paint-filled balloons were thrown over the fence surrounding the pickleball courts at the park, resulting in damage to the playing surfaces on three of the 14 courts. 

The City cannot provide an estimate of repair costs or the duration of closures at this time.

The vandalism has been reported to Peterborough Police Service. Anyone with information is asked to call them at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

The remaining pickleball courts at Bonnerworth Park are scheduled to open on Friday.  

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Bonnerworth Park Officially Open to the Public

The City of Peterborough celebrated the official grand opening of Bonnerworth Park on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The revitalization includes a new bike pump track, an expanded skatepark and 14 new pickleball courts, including two accessible courts.

“This revitalization brings fresh energy to Bonnerworth Park, creating a modern, inclusive space for a new generation,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This is a park built for everyone, from skateboarders, cyclists and pickleball players to families who want to enjoy a sunny afternoon in Bonnerworth’s green space. Finished on time and on budget, Bonnerworth Park reflects Peterborough’s active spirit and will continue to be a place where people of all ages can come together.”

“Bonnerworth Park is a modern, accessible park marking a new and energetic chapter for recreation in Peterborough,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “The new amenities in this space are the result of collaboration with user groups, local organizations and the city. Together, we’ve created a welcoming, inclusive park that will serve residents for many years to come.”

A new shade shelter was constructed in the park after a $200,000 community investment from Hydro One through work on the Durham Kawartha Powerline project.

Other enhancements to the park include fresh sodding and a multipurpose trail linking all amenities. The park's perimeter is lined with 202 new trees.

Saturday’s opening celebration was followed by an afternoon of activities on the bike pump track, skatepark and pickleball courts, led by city staff and user groups.

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Bonnerworth Park Opening Celebration Date Changed to Saturday

The official opening of the enhancements to Bonnerworth Park has been rescheduled from Thursday to Saturday at 1 p.m.

Photo bcourtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The celebration includes a new bike pump track, expanded skateboard park, pickleball courts and a shade structure.

The new official opening ceremony time will align with a weekend of activities in the park by user groups, including demonstrations on the bike pump track, pickleball courts, and skateboard park according to the City.

The opening ceremony was planned for Thursday but wet weather has slowed down the installation of sod.

Events are scheduled from Saturday through Monday.

Residents can take a free shuttle bus from City Hall to Bonnerworth Park on Saturday and Sunday. The bus will run continuously from City Hall to Bonnerworth Park from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Snacks and refreshments will be provided during weekend events.  

Schedule of weekend events:

Saturday

Bike Pump Track demonstrations, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., with members of the Peterborough cycling community. This will also include a time-lapse event.  

Learn to play short mat bowling, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McDonnel St. Community Centre. 

Sunday

Skateboard demonstrations hosted by members of the Peterborough skateboarding community, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event includes a Skate Jam and a Learn to Skate event highlighting the expanded skatepark’s new features.  

Learn to play pickleball, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Instruction and equipment will be provided.  

Monday

Learn to play/Try it Pickleball, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Instruction and equipment will be provided.  

Pop-up bike event, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event includes bicycle safety checks and cycling tips. 

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No Injunction For Bonnerworth Park Construction Says City of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough says that there is no injunction against the Bonnerworth Park construction project and there is no scheduled court date.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

As stated by the City, construction of a bike pump track, expanded skateboard park, pickleball courts, and associated features at Bonnerworth Park at Monaghan Road and McDonnel Street continues.

The City also states that reports that the Superior Court of Justice will hear Friends of Bonnerworth Park's application on Nov. 25 are incorrect.

The City has been informed that the applicant’s law firm, Kraemer LLP, does not intend to handle the injunction application going forward and that Friends of Bonnerworth Park plans to retain new legal counsel.

On Nov. 12, the City Council approved direction authorizing the City to respond to the injunction application in the Superior Court of Justice.

The City’s public communications on it will be through legal counsel and its response to the court filing.

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City of Peterborough to Begin Construction Redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park In Coming Weeks

Redevelopment construction of Bonnerworth Park is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks, with completion anticipated by fall next year, announced by the City of Peterborough on Tuesday morning.

Aiden Finn performing a “kickflip” while going gap-to-gap from a higher level to a lower one. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Construction includes an expanded skateboard park, a new bike pump track and pickleball courts at Bonnerworth Park at Monaghan Road and McDonnel Street according to the City.

Preparations are expected on the same week of the announcement including removing the clay from the ball diamonds to be used at others in the City and putting up fencing around the construction site.

Unrelated to the construction, three unhealthy trees will be removed from the park this week.

The Bonnerworth Park project will include planting about 220 trees on the property, with about 63 per cent of the site being maintained as green space as stated by the City.

Bonnerworth Park is an active-use park with two baseball fields, four tennis courts, a skateboard park and a parking lot. The four existing tennis courts currently serve as multi-sport courts and operate as either four tennis courts or eight pickleball courts, depending on the user's preference.

The baseball fields at Bonnerworth will be removed and the City will invest in ball diamonds at other parks, including upgrading ball diamonds at three parks in 2024 and 2025. The tennis courts at Bonnerworth will be removed and new tennis courts will be built at Knights of Columbus Park as part of a larger plan to rejuvenate and enhance the recreation facilities at that park.

City Council has budgeted $4.4 million for the Bonnerworth Park project over two years.

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Bonnerworth Park Project Consultation Extended

The public commenting period for the draft plan for the Bonnerworth Park project has been extended to 5 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Public comments on the draft plan, which can be viewed through the City’s community engagement hub can be submitted using the comments tool on the project page, by emailing bonnerworthproject@peterborough.ca or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2226#.

The draft plan for the park, located at 550 McDonnel St., was posted last Thursday.

A presentation outlining the features of the draft plan is posted on the project page.

A community outdoor recreation facility needs study, community consultation, the project budget and site-specific technical studies to inform the creation of the project plan.

A summary of the submissions from the current commenting period will be posted on the project page.

Community consultation for the Bonnerworth Park project and the Knights of Columbus Park project was undertaken from February through April 2024 with two surveys, two public meetings, and meetings with recreation facility user groups related to the two projects.

City Council initially approved the Bonnerworth Park project when it approved the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study in October 2023. It approved the Bonnerworth Park project in the City’s 2024 Budget in December 2023.

The draft plan shows features such as:

• About 275 trees will be planted in the park

• About 63 per cent of the site will be green space – landscaped/grass

• Setbacks from neighbouring properties

• Noise attenuation measures, including noise attenuation fencing and landscaping such as berms

• The location of 14 pickleball courts, down from 16 when the concept was initially introduced

• The location of the new bike pump track will be designed with grass areas between the bike paths

• The expansion of the existing skateboard park

• Parking areas totalling 44 spaces, which is a reduction from a previous concept

• Pathways within the park

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2024.

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City of Peterborough to Bring Bonnerworth Park Project Draft Plan to Advisory Committee review

A draft plan for the Bonnerworth Park project will be reviewed during a combined meeting of the Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., announced on Thursday.

Coalition member Geoff Rix performing an “Indy” grab while airborne off a launch ramp after the Bonnerworth West 49 Skatepark revitalization in 2021. City Council initially approved the Bonnerworth Park project when it approved the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study in October 2023. It approved the Bonnerworth Park project in the City’s 2024 Budget in December 2023. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The review includes an expanded skateboard park, a new bike pump track, pickleball courts, planting trees and landscaping.

The meeting will be live-streamed on the City’s website while no public delegations are allowed at advisory committee meetings.

The draft plan shows features such as:

• About 275 trees will be planted in the park

• About 63 per cent of the site will be green space – landscaped/grass

• Setbacks from neighbouring properties

• Noise attenuation measures, including noise attenuation fencing and landscaping such as berms

• The location of 14 pickleball courts, down from 16 when the concept was initially introduced

• The location of the new bike pump track that will be designed with grass areas between the bike paths

• The expansion of the existing skateboard park

• Parking areas totalling 44 spaces, which is a reduction from a previous concept

• Pathways within the park

The two advisory committees will be able to provide feedback about the draft plan for consideration before the City finalizes the document ahead of construction, which is expected to begin this fall.

Public comments on the draft plan, which can be viewed through the City’s community engagement hub, can be submitted using the comments tool on the project page, by sending an email to bonnerworthproject@peterborough.ca or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2226#.

Public comments can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on August 16, for consideration before finalizing the project plan.

The project team is considering feedback from community consultation, including feedback from the Arenas, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and broader public feedback from the consultation process, before finalizing the draft plan for the project according to the City.

The draft plan is also informed by various studies and factors such as noise studies, traffic flow, groundwater conditions, and stormwater management.

Community consultation for the Bonnerworth Park project and the Knights of Columbus Park project was undertaken from February through April with two surveys, two public meetings and meetings with recreation facility user groups related to the two projects.

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City of Peterborough Seeking Public Input For Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment

The City of Peterborough is hosting a public consultation for the redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park on how to invest in the community park to enhance the space and add new recreation features.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Improvements are expected to start in the fall. Bonnerworth Park, located at 560 McDonnel St. in Town Ward 3, will become a new recreation hub according to the City.

“We are thrilled to see Bonnerworth being redeveloped into a community hub. Community parks contribute to healthy, thriving cities. Please help us ensure that the upcoming redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park will meet your needs today and into the future,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Whether you are a family with young children or a senior who would enjoy spending time there, we want to hear from you.”

“I live close by and have enjoyed the park in so many different ways throughout my life — the redevelopment offers so much potential,” said Councillor Alex Bierk. “I'm thankful for the community's support for the project so far. In the upcoming planning stages, we have the opportunity to reimagine the park to meet our collective needs and vision.”

A public drop-in session will take place on March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St. City staff will be available to answer questions and receive input about which amenities residents would like to see in the park.

Everyone is invited to complete the online survey. The survey will allow participants to identify features they would like to see in the park and make suggestions to create an inclusive environment. Paper copies of the survey will be available in the lobby at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Bonnerworth Park was identified as a priority project in the City’s Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study which identified key objectives to improve and expand opportunities to support recreation across the City according to a press release. Pickleball was identified as a priority sport to meet the demand for facilities for one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.  

The Bonnerworth Park redevelopment will include 16 new pickleball courts, a bike pump track, an expanded skatepark and associated landscape and lighting.

The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on March 2. Once the survey has closed, an update summarizing the findings will be posted online.

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Hippy Chippy Re-opens Today at Bonnerworth Park

The Hippy Chippy has relocated and reopened today at Bonnerworth Park (just off McDonnel, near the tennis courts). Having recently lost their old location to Kawartha Canteen, this will be their new home.

Burgers will be added to their great lineup next week.

Taking advantage of solar power to run their fans and water pump!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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