Ribbon cuttings held to open two new park amenities

Joined by members of town council, Mayor Michael Prue cut ribbons to officially open the new trail at Jack Purdie Park (above) and the basketball court at Pat Thrasher Park (below).

Members of the Purdie family were on hand at the trail dedication while members of the Thrasher family came out for the basketball court ribbon cutting.

A pair of ribbon cuttings were held to officially open new amenities in a pair of Amherstburg parks.

Mayor Michael Prue, joined by a group of town council members and administration, were at Pat Thrasher Park and Jack Purdie Park last Friday night and were joined by members of the family for whom the parks are named.

A new basketball court was opened at Pat Thrasher Park while a widened, paved trail was celebrated at Jack Purdie Park.

Director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon said there were open houses about the parks system and said basketball courts were requested for Pat Thrasher Park. That park, located within the Kingsbridge subdivision, was only supposed to get a half-court in the beginning but Baillargeon credited staff with the town for getting the project done internally which enabled it to become a full-sized court.

“If we would have sent it out to tender, it would have cost a lot more,” she said.

Mayor Michael Prue thanked staff for their work on the project and said he hopes some Canadian basketball stars get their start on the new court.

“This is going to be well used,” he predicted.

Prue also thanked members of the Thrasher family that attended in memory of Pat Thrasher, including his daughter Becky Banks and her son Jaiden, her uncle Dave Thrasher, sisters Valerie Stewart, Sandi Villeneuve, Renée Thrasher and Pat’s mother Carolyn Thrasher.

“It’s a fantastic court. I think it’s got a lot of potential,” said Dave. “Pat would have wanted this. It’s totally up his alley.”

Family members agreed, noting parks were Pat’s passion. Pat Thrasher served on Amherstburg town council and was important when it came to fundraising for area charities, such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was Citizen of the Year in 1999.

Banks said they love the neighbourhood and said her father would be pleased to see the park be active.

“All of the work he did makes it a full circle moment,” she said.

The next ceremony was at Jack Purdie Park with Baillargeon stating it was an important build. She credited project manager Steve Hayes for his work on both projects.

“Anyone, any age, can use it,” she said. “This pathway is about a one-kilometre loop that goes around (the park).”

“This park holds a special place in many people’s hearts,” said Prue.

The mayor recalled cutting the ribbon at the new playground at the park a few years ago and said more features will be added as money becomes available.

Purdie’s daughters Pat Levack, Kaye Potter, Colleen DiPierdomenico and Susan Gibbons were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

“We’re still appreciative the park is important to the people of the community,” said Levack. 

Levack, who now lives in St. Joachim, said she still comes back to town often and plans on walking on the trail.

“I’m glad the park looks so great,” she said.

Prue added that Enbridge deserves some credit as well, pointing out a $30,000 grant went towards Jack Purdie Park and its new trail.

“They are good corporate citizens,” he said of Enbridge. “They give back a lot.”

Ribbon cuttings held to open two new park amenities

By Ron Giofu