Residents in London's Hyde Park neighbourhood have a new green space to enjoy.
City officials announced Friday the last construction fencing surrounding Hyde Park Village Green, on Hyde Park Road north of Gainsborough Road has been removed.
Construction of the park had been underway since last fall.
"Hyde Park Village Green was built to become a community gathering space and focal point in the neighbourhood,” Mayor Josh Morgan said in a statement. “It captures the community’s vision for an exciting outdoor event space and a welcoming destination for families. I’m incredibly proud of the collaborative effort that led to the opening of the park.”
The new park includes a community plaza surrounded by benches, paths, and trees as well as a wooden stage for events. There is a play structure for kids and a garden filled with native plant species for those looking for a peaceful place to sit. The park is connected to nearby residential areas by a path that also wraps around a pond.
Sections of the park, completed earlier this summer, have already played host to several events including Pond Fest and the Hyde Park Uptown Market.
"Through community consultation, design, and construction, Hyde Park Village Green has become a premier outdoor events space,” said Donna Szpakowski, general manager of the Hyde Park Business Improvement Association. “The possibilities for programming and events are incredibly exciting and will draw Londoners from across the city. We are thrilled that this gem is now complete in the Hyde Park community.”
Funds for the new park came from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the City of London, the Hyde Park BIA, and Oxford Dodge Chrysler. In recognition, a plaque will be erected at the park's entrance.
A community picnic to celebrate the new park is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 25. It will feature food trucks and live music.