Winnipeg, MB – Councillor Vivian Santos and community members participated in a ground-breaking ceremony today to recognize the beginning of construction at the connecting Blue Bird and Lismore Parks located in the Brooklands neighbourhood. The park renovation has been guided by in-person and online public engagement with Brooklands-area residents.
“Parks and playgrounds are places where people can come together as a community or just enjoy as a family,” said Councillor Vivian Santos, Point Douglas. “This is a great opportunity to renew an important public space in Brooklands. I am so excited to see the vision shared by these residents come to life in their own neighbourhood.”
The City launched public engagement on the redevelopment project in September 2019, holding a public workshop to consult with local residents on ideas for redeveloping Blue Bird Park and utilizing open space at the adjacent Lismore Park. There was also input collected through an online survey. A summary of the results of the public engagement can be found at Public Engagement Summary – Blue Bird & Lismore Parks Redevelopment. The last redevelopment at Blue Bird Park took place in 1999.
Both parks will feature new picnic tables, benches, connected granular and concrete paths, sodding, and trees. Along with these additions, Lismore Park will feature a steel fire pit with boulder seating. Blue Bird Park will also feature a new play structure and swing set. Preliminary drawings and renderings of the redeveloped parks can be viewed at Blue Bird & Lismore Parks Redevelopment – Documents.
The total cost of the redevelopment project is $309,560 with funds provided by the Parks and Recreation Enhancement Program and Land Dedication Reserve Fund. Construction will begin in September and is scheduled for completion in late October.