Soccer fields, tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas, basketball courts, and a splash pad — the new Henderson Memorial Park off Line 9 opened to the public this week.
On May 23, Bradford West Gwillimbury councillors cut a red ribbon, officially opening the new community facility.
“What a beautiful park,” said Coun. Peter Dykie Jr., arriving for the ceremony and looking out over the grassy playing fields.
The farm-themed splash pad — as well as all the other splash pads in town — will open for the season June 1.
The park is not perfect, said Mike O’Hare, the town’s manager of parks and property.
There are a few “deficiencies,” such as problems with sod and a few trees that did not survive the winter, he said, but “that will all be fixed up in the next couple of months.”
The park represents the development of the first 17.4 hectares of the 39.25-hectare property gifted to the town by Phyllis and Cyril Henderson in 2009.
“It really is a great addition to recreation in Bradford West Gwillimbury,” said Mayor Rob Keffer, thanking the Henderson family and town staff. “It will be a destination for families of BWG to come and enjoy the outdoors.”
The remaining hectares will be developed in coming years, with uses still to be determined through public consultation and another visioning session.
But for now, Henderson Memorial Park is open, accessible, and welcoming residents to come and discover all it has to offer.
