A concept of the proposed North Shore Park Splash Pad, which is expected to occupy approximately 1.23 percent of the park.

Hub Staff

A splash pad update was presented to council during the Committee of Whole meeting, September 12, that corrected some misinformation and debunked online speculation regarding the title and rightful use of North Shore Park, a location that was approved in principle for one of two proposed Saugeen Shores splash pad projects.

Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski read from an information report that featured background knowledge on both proposed splash pads - North Shore Park and a separate Southampton Rotary project in Jubilee Park - and addressed public scrutiny regarding the Port Elgin location, as incorrect information regarding the deed to the property had been presented in an article in a local newspaper.

The report noted that a recent title search of North Shore Park determined that the registered owner is indeed The Corporation of the Village of Port Elgin and that the cited usage for the land was a public park with no restrictions.

An excerpt from the report reads as follows:

“Recently the ownership and intended use of the North Shore Park has been questioned. In a recent Title Search undertaken by the Municipality’s solicitor it was confirmed that the registered owner of the property is The Corporation of the Village of Port Elgin. The title was acquired by a Deed of Land registered on July 26, 1906 from Robert and Annie Munro. The Deed cited that the usage for the land was for a public park and no restrictions. There are no Agreements registered on title that would restrict this area as The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores Information Report - Update on Splash Pads usage for a splash pad. North Shore Park is zoned Open Space (OS-1) Zone. Under permitted usage, a splash pad would be deemed acceptable.”

In her report Jagelewski stated that town staff will continue to hear from individuals who utilize the park and that staff anticipates that a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be published at the end of October. Staff will return to Saugeen Shores Council for final approval in October prior to issuing an RFP.

Following the report Councillor Mike Myatt and Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau commended staff for their work on the subject. The Deputy Mayor made a point to reiterate from the information report that factually incorrect information had been circulated. However, he believes that there have been positive meetings between petitioners and community groups involved with both splash pads.

“I think we can continue to have positive discussions and move things forward in a way to honour the work that those groups (Port Elgin Splashpad Committee and Southampton Rotary Club) are doing. He continued, “there are a lot of things being said out there about these projects, but let’s remember these groups are volunteers, are people who care about the community who offer things to the community. And let’s try to honour that at the same time as we deal with the real issues, and try and get things sorted out.”

Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber reminded those in attendance that she was one of two votes against the North Shore Park location and her feelings remain the same, even though she does see value in splash pads. She then pointed fingers at all sides in regards to misinformation being spread about the projects. “I think there’s responsibility for that misinformation from all of the parties involved,” Huber said. She then went on to address her feelings on the environmental impact of building a splash pad in North Shore Park, where, according to the report, a potential four trees, small- to medium-sized cedars, could be removed and new ones planted in a new location in the park. “That park is the only park that’s like that in Saugeen Shores. There’s a silent person in all this and it’s nature and we don't get a second chance at nature, when it’s gone it’s gone.”

The trending topic had Mayor Mike Smith expressing his gripe with social media. “I think that’s the state of the social media world we live in. Misinformation is spread so quickly and misinterpreted and I think we need be careful with how we communicate electronically and all over because it is so easy to misinterpret something.”

Following the meeting Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski said there was an advantage to having the Splash Pad close to Port Elgin’s Main Beach. “On windy days that are cooler, maybe parents don't want to have their kids in water because of a risk factor, they can easily go over to the splash pad." She also said that the splash pad is an accessible location for parents and grandparents to be on the same level as a child. If children are playing in the playground they can cool off quickly in the splash pad. Jagelewski went on to say that the location checked off “the most amenities that were cognizant of keeping a low cost”, and would be the most cost efficient location in Port Elgin to construct a splash pad, as there are pre-existing washroom facilities, parking and piping.

Jagelewski further said that due to the weather, “we lose trees naturally in that area,” and that the town is currently promoting a tree memorial program in the park, adding that North Shore Park, is a “hot spot where we should consider planting more trees.”