WATCH ABOVE: Mark McAllister speaks with residents concerned that a new splash pad in Cabbagetown won’t fit into the community.
TORONTO – Some residents near Wellesley Park in Cabbagetown are concerned the design of a new splash pad doesn’t fit into the community.
The water feature is being installed to replace an old wading pool that’s been at the end of Wellesley Street East for decades.
The ground work and pipes for fountains have been laid out and a bright blue umbrella for shade is already standing tall.
“They’ve designed some sort of Las Vegas waterworks,” Cabbagetown resident Steve Poulin said. “I think is a little bit over-the-top for the neighbourhood which is a heritage preservation district.”
Cabbagetown North was declared a Heritage Conservation District in April, 2004 based on properties and buildings that date back to the late-19th century.
The area’s heritage status limits what homeowners can do to alter or renovate their property.
“It should be intuitively obvious to them,” Poulin said. “In a district such as this, they probably want to do something that’s a little bit more in keeping and lower profile.”
The playground next to the splash pad was also given a makeover recently and parents using that space love the idea of having water nearby.
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“It’s wonderful,” Hannah Ainslie said. “I think they’re actually better for kids than the wading pool because kids get to run around and you don’t have to worry about them drowning.”
Part of the plan for the splash pad includes colourful artwork on the ground featuring birds and fish inspired by Canadian artist Norval Morrisseau.
“We are delivering a splash pad in consultation with the community,” the supervisor of capital projects for the city’s parks department, Stephen O’Bright said. “Elements such as a shade structure were requested by the community.”
The colour of umbrella currently in place is expected to be changed in order to blend in with the surrounding trees.
“That colour, before we actually replace it, will be vetted through the community and others to reassure the fact that there is no offending shade of green,” O’Bright said.
Construction is expected to be complete with the splash pad ready to open in mid-July.
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