OTTAWA – Residents gathered at Thornton Park Thursday evening to voice their opinions on what future renovations should entail. Community development specialist Tami Koppen says after the city acquired the park five years ago from Edmund and Susan Thornton, it has been a goal of theirs to make some upgrades. Principal Landscape Architect Michelle A. Kelly from Upland Designs, who’s partnering with the city, created a survey to get a better idea of what residents want. Idea boards with various park designs were presented at the park’s gazebo to rank in the survey as well as existing elements in the park like the concrete play pieces and tennis courts. Kelly says the input will be used to come up with a playground concept that will be presented at city hall on Thursday at 6 p.m.
A contract with Upland Designs was recently awarded to apply for an Open Spaces, Land, Acquisition and Development grant of $300,000. The city would be required to match the grant.
