Little Kin Park is Open for Play Every Day!

We’re excited to announce that Little Kin Park is now open daily for everyone to enjoy! Come explore the new Accessible and Inclusive Playground, designed for children of all abilities. Whether you're looking to play, relax, or enjoy the fresh air, Little Kin Park is the perfect spot for fun and community spirit.

Progress Update on Little Kin Park Inclusive and Accessible Playground

We’re excited to share the latest updates on the Little Kin Park Inclusive and Accessible Playground project! Here’s a look at the significant work completed so far:

• Site Preparation: The previous sod and dirt have been removed, and the new topsoil has been carefully leveled in preparation for future grass planting.

• Concrete Sidewalks: We’ve successfully poured concrete sidewalks around the entire playground footprint, creating a safe and accessible path for all visitors.

• Structural Installation: Many of the main playground structures have been set in place, forming the foundation of our inclusive play space.

• Equipment Assembly: Smaller play components have been assembled and positioned, ready to be integrated into their final locations.

This progress is a testament to the dedication of our community and the forward-thinking vision of the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex, including the Mayor, Councillors, and staff. Their support and commitment are crucial in bringing this project to fruition.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working towards completing this exciting new playground, where children of all abilities can play, learn, and grow together.

Little Kin Park - Future Accessible/Inclusive Playground

Exciting developments are coming to Little Kin Park! Soon, we'll be home to a new accessible and inclusive playground, designed for children of all abilities. This future playground will offer a safe and fun environment for everyone to enjoy. Located next to the historic St. James Anglican Church and Cemetery, Little Kin Park will be a wonderful place for families to gather and make lasting memories.

We understand many are eager to know when the playground will be installed. Stay tuned for updates on the progress and the official opening! We appreciate your excitement and patience as we work to bring this fantastic addition to our community.

Little Kin Park- accessible and inclusive playground. 

GREEN LIGHT GIVEN

🌟 Thank You for Making the Little Kin Park Unveiling Event a Success! 🌟

Dear Community,

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who joined us last night for the unveiling of the Little Kin Park. Your presence and support made the event truly special, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the turnout.

We're incredibly grateful to Mark Jones, Territory Manager for New World Park Solutions, for his incredible display and video reenactment of the park. Kevin Miller, Manager of SWM Community Service and Recreation, deserves a huge round of applause for organizing the open house and answering all our questions with such patience and expertise.

A big shoutout goes to Mayor Allan Mayhew and all the councilors who took the time to attend and show their support. Amy Choi, your presence and willingness to address questions did not go unnoticed, and we appreciate you being there.

Special thanks to Sherry McMaus for keeping us caffeinated with delicious coffee and for helping with the setup. And let's not forget the amazing bakers—Carolyn McMillan, Nancy Mott, Alice, and Randy James—for treating us to such delightful treats.

Sam Cormier, SWM Recreation Coordinator, played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly, and we're excited about the fantastic projects SWM has planned for the summer of 2024.

To those who submitted questions beforehand, rest assured that we've forwarded them to Kevin Miller and anticipate a response shortly. If you have any further concerns or queries, please don't hesitate to reach out to Kevin at kmiller@southwestmiddlesex.ca or call 519-287-2015 Ext 8112.

Once again, thank you all for your support and enthusiasm. The Little Kin Park is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community. We can't wait to see you all enjoying this wonderful addition to our neighborhood!

Warm regards,

Denise/Your Wardsville

🔍 Have Thoughts to Share? 

We've provided several ways  for you to share your thoughts, ideas, or inquiries regarding the Little Kin Park project:

• Online Form: Complete our simple online form here.

• Printable Form: Download and print of the  form here. You can hand your completed form to any Your Wardsville team member. Share to your family, friends and neighbours  that do not have internet access.

• Phone Call: Feel free to reach out to us via phone. Contact details can be found for  any of the  Your Wardsville team member.

• Email: Send us an email at info@yourwardsville.ca with your thoughts, ideas, or inquiries.

Your input is invaluable as we shape the future of Little Kin Park together!

For Your Information:

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our community. 🌟

Other documents and link to SWM You Tube channel.

• Request for Proposal Little Kin Park Accessible/Inclusive Playground
  Request for Proposal (RFP) Results – Wardsville Little Kin Park- Accessible/Inclusive Playground

• Southwest Middlesex March 20 Council Meeting You Tube

• Southwest Middlesex 2021 Facilities and Recreation Master Plan  "Undertake a redevelopment plan for Little Kin Park for passive use in a manner that respect’s the historical significance of the site as a former church and burial ground. The redevelopment plan should include walking pathways, seating, signage, landscaping, tree plantings, open greenspace and other low-maintenance amenities and features. Development over burials and active recreation amenities/activities must be avoided."[pg 7.c SWM 2021 Facilities and Recreation Master Plan]

The Little Kin Park Survey 

To view the 2023 survey findings, click on this link labeled "Results" 

Little Kin Park has been a central gathering spot for decades in Wardsville. Ageing infrastructure, ageing trees and lack of programming have all led to the park not being used to its full capacity. With a portion of Little Kin Park now designated as a sacred spot to honour the St James Anglican Church and cemetery, Little Kin Park needs to be "reimagined". This takes money and a dedicated group of community members to see our little park become a focal area for Wardsville again.

Let us follow these steps and foster community engagement, we can work towards transforming Little Kin Park into a vibrant and inclusive gathering space that reflects the values and desires of the Wardsville community.

• Form a dedicated group of community members.

• Assess the park's infrastructure and identify areas for improvement.

• Engage the community through meetings and surveys.

• Develop a shared vision for the park's revitalization.

• Create a comprehensive master plan with designs and cost estimates.

• Seek funding from grants, sponsorships, and community initiatives.

• Implement the revitalization project in phases.

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including the church and cemetery representatives.

• Develop a programming strategy to encourage park utilization.

• Establish a maintenance plan for long-term sustainability.

 We can work towards reimagining Little Kin Park into a vibrant focal point for Wardsville.

Volunteer