It’s been a decade or so since Painswick residents say they were promised a small greenspace, and are still awaiting its completion.
Irene Lowry says she has 62 names on a petition asking this overdue project, near Barrie’s Public Library’s Painswick branch, be given development priority in 2023.
The Painswick Horticultural Society planted the first mature oak tree on the edge of what was to be a park, Lowry says.
“We now have an opportunity, once again, to help make our walkable neighbourhood more appealing,” she said in a letter to the city. “We are using our collective voice with our signatures and letter to request that our long-overdue Painswick Library park be a priority for development in 2023.”
In her letter Lowry said the neighbours have already done good work — from traffic lights being installed at the corner of Madelaine Drive and Dean Avenue to a new bus shelter on Dean.
Coun. Sergio Morales, who represents this area, said there’s a larger picture to consider.
“The petition is essentially to support our green spaces … to get more of that tree canopy, to get more of the mental health benefits that we have across the city,” he said.
“The city owns a small strip of land beside Painswick (library) and the goal was for it to be developed in the future,” Morales said. “The one thing that didn’t happen was the dirt that was moved to build the library was just left there … and it was like we’ll get to it when we get to it, and now the costs to move it are significant, or enough that it’s not a quick amendment.
"I can’t use my community fund to deal with it," the ward councillor added.
Barrie city councillors get $25,000 for this term of office — 2022 to 2026 — to help fund certain projects.
Mayor Alex Nuttall said he understands how residents feel.
“I know it’s very frustrating in the new areas when folks are getting through their 10-year anniversary and the parks aren’t done,” he said. “Obviously, there’s been some oversights over time.”
Lowry says Painswick library branch celebrated its 11th anniversary in March 2023, but the project is not complete without the park.
The petition’s preamble is on the city’s April 26 circulation list, but the document does not include the names of those who signed it, for the city’s privacy reasons.
City staff said Monday there are no plans for greenspace development near Painswick library at this time.
