Needler’s Common: A central park in the heart of the village

 

In the Township’s 2014 Revitalization Report, one option was to create a village common and recreational site located at the millpond and dam area in the village of Millbrook.  The concept and recommendations recognize that a centralized recreational area can support cultural, economic, tourism, and sporting events. Examples include the Zucchini Festival, Car Shows, Ladies’ Night, and the Trout Derby. 

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The open space would be available and easy to make accessible to every resident of the township as well as non-resident visitors and tourists at all times of the year without the need for the staffing or extensive maintenance of a larger building facility. A park is inclusive as it is free to use.  

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Baxter Creek, the island below the dam, and the area around the old mill has hosted the successful and well-attended children’s event the Zucchini Festival. As well, a centralized common is part of the heritage of the village; Millbrook did have a small, urban park on King Street with a band shell and seating where concerts were held. 

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The urban park creates a social space for the entire community and in doing so, as the 2014 revitalization report indicated; parks encourage users to also patronize local businesses and dining establishments.  An urban park allows for pop-up venues for vendors and special events as well as entertainment—including providing a venue for our celebrated 4th Line Theatre. 

According to the World Health Organization, Urban Spaces, a Brief for Action: 

“Green spaces and other nature-based solutions offer innovative approaches to increase the quality of urban settings, enhance local resilience and promote sustainable lifestyles, improving both the health and the well-being of urban residents. Parks, playgrounds or vegetation in public and private places are a central component of these approaches…Urban green space is a component of “green infrastructure”. It is an important part of public open spaces and common services provided by a city and can serve as a health-promoting setting for all members of the urban community.” Urban-Green-Spaces_EN_WHO_web3.pdf?ua=1

According to: Health Policy Value of urban green spaces in promoting healthy living and wellbeing: prospects for planning Risk Management: 2015; 8: 131–137:

 

“Urban green space may provide residents with opportunities for contact with the natural environment. Such contact has positive restorative effects on mental health and wellbeing and may also help to provide a buffer against stressful life events. The benefits of green space on mental health and wellbeing may also arise from participation in activities occurring in these spaces, such as social interaction or physical exercise. These benefits include alleviation of stress and anxiety, and improved mood and attention.

The utility of urban green spaces for urban planners can be seen through many lenses. Urban green spaces fulfil a range of different roles, such as social spaces and areas for recreation and cultural purposes. They also have economic and environmental purposes. Indeed, urban greening projects have been undertaken to maintain and increase property values due to their esthetic characteristics and functionality”.

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An urban park provides a visual cultural identity and community ambience. It ties into and supports the historical value of the village. Key benefits include:  

• Aesthetic improvements to the area. An urban park is visually appealing and always changing with the seasons. The arena is not, and in fact it is considered an ‘eyesore’ by many residents. 

• A healthier community. An urban park is often used as both a social setting and a place to find peace and relaxation—somewhere- to connect with the natural world. The Old Arena does not. An urban park contributes to the overall environmental health of the community and a low carbon footprint. The arena has a higher carbon footprint. 

• Flood risk reduction. The Old Arena sits in a flood zone in the immediate downstream of the Millbrook pond and dam. The site size and location of the arena within a floodplain precludes expansion and significant modifications to the facility. In the event of a flood, like the one in the 1980s, the structural damage and financial loss would be significant. An urban park will not be so adversely affected.  Removing pavement and building structures will also improve run off by providing drainage. 

• Compensation for sprawl. A park would create additional common grounds for the growing community. With growth we need to increase public parklands that are accessible to all. 

• Improved outdoor recreation. The current outdoor rink at the Old School is installed on pavement. This makes the rink rarely usable as the pavement acts as a heat-sink which melts the ice surface. Creating an outdoor rink (possibly with the aid of artificial ice) on green space during the winter months (where traditionally the community has skated on the pond), would be more successful – especially as our winters are getting warmer. 

As a community we need to ensure that outdoor recreation and public green spaces are enshrined in our growth plans to keep our community healthy and sustainable.