Opening of King's Navy Yard Park extension delayed a few more weeks
- Ron Giofu
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The opening of the King's Navy Yard Park extension, a.k.a. the Amherstburg Waterfront Festival Plaza has been delayed a few more weeks until the grass is better established and cement at the property cures.
The King’s Navy Yard Park extension was supposed to open last weekend but it has been delayed a few more weeks.
The property, also known as the Amherstburg Waterfront Festival Plaza and the former Duffy’s lands, now has a possible opening timeframe of late-August. Director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon said she has not put out an official opening date, but the target right now is Aug. 26.
Hot weather and not a lot of rain has caused the grass to come in slower than anticipated, she added. There is irrigation as part of the park extension, but she said her department wanted to be fiscally responsible with the use of water as well.
“The grass isn’t established well enough for people to walk on,” she said.
Administration wants to make sure the turf is established well enough before officially opening the grounds.
There is also concrete that the town wants to ensure cures properly, Baillargeon stated, as some of it is recently poured. There are also railings that need to be put on. Everything else is finished, she said, from underground infrastructure to what is above ground.
“It’s looking great,” she said.
Baillargeon said she is getting “anxious” to see the park extension opened. She believes it will be a positive addition to Amherstburg’s waterfront and allow more people to get outside and enjoy it.
A ribbon cutting will be held once the park extension is ready to be opened, she added, noting that was the motion passed by town council. An opening weekend celebration costing upwards of $30,000 was proposed by administration but scaled back.
“We were directed to keep it simple and a simple ribbon cutting is what they opted for,” said Baillargeon.
Opening of King's Navy Yard Park extension delayed a few more weeks
By Ron Giofu