All of the ideas received through this idea board has been shared with our partners at the Athol South Marysburgh School, and has been considered as part of the consultation on this project. Some ideas offered here are not compatible with the primary use of the property as a school yard, but will be received by County staff as ideas that might be appropriate in another location.
Thank you for your interest in this project. This idea board is now closed. If you have thoughts about this project, you can contact the project manager who is listed under "Who's listening?" on the right hand side of the project's main page.
One of the best things about the existing yard space is the open space where children (in and out of school) can play and run. I would think repairing and maintaining existing features would be the best use of the funds.
Liz Zylstra
7 months ago
I think having an area dedicated to nature education with a natural playground would be awesome. A walking trail around the perimeter would be a wonderful addition and could be used in many ways. Fixing up the ball diamond and court are needed as well. Focusing on a family friendly space that the kids can use during the school day but that families can use on the weekends or event a space for family friendly events like Athol is very much needed.
Kendra Stefankiewicz
7 months ago
Not only is soccer one of the most popular sports with our children in the County as a whole (with close to 1000 registered participants in PECSA this year and a growing adult league with approximately 150 participants) it is also beloved by the students at Athol South. And yet, the field is in poor shape. $14,000 would go a long way towards replacing nets and resurfacing the field to make it safe, and a high quality playing surface for our athletes and teams throughout the County who currently struggle to find adequate practice space. A good quality, safe field is also versatile: a place for creative play, ultimate frisbee, touch football, etc. Further investing in lighting would extend the playing season for County athletes, as there is currently no lit soccer fields in Prince Edward County.
Further developing the schoolyard should also consider resurfacing the existing courts and with a strong school community of runners, a 200 meter track should be considered as a future goal. The only track options are on the other side of the County in Wellington. Our local aging population would benefit from a consistent service for walking and rehab, and our school athletes would benefit from training on a surface without unsafe divots, around wooden stakes, and up hills.
Any decision should contribute and enhance our student experience while also providing a benefit to the overall community. An enhancement to the yard that does not take into consideration the current daily use of the yard would be a disappointing use of the funds.
Carlin Thompson
7 months ago
We take our kids to the school regularly to play baseball on the field and to ride bikes in a safe area. We would love to see the ball diamond rejuvenated. The tennis court area is another space to consider. As it is fenced, it could be used as a multi-use sports area (tennis, basketball, ball hockey). A covered seating area would be nice for people to come on weekends to play and or rest for a bit (maybe where the current basketball court is if the tennis court could be renovated).
Nancy Cherwinka
7 months ago
Small dog park with a tree and picnic table. Infant-friendly playground. A safe pond or waterfall feature. A waking path around the perimeter.
Sami Lester
7 months ago
My family uses Athol-South Marysburgh School grounds as a playground park at least once a week in the spring/summer/fall months. It is a great space for kids to ride bicycles and scooters in the parking lot, as there is no danger from traffic. There is also plenty of room for the kids to run around. The former basketball/tennis court is in a sad state and could be refurbished. The old baseball diamond could also be be upgraded to accommodate the increased interest in baseball with kids and teens. New soccer nets could also be beneficial to the kids who play soccer in the area. It is a great space that could be used by more families. Additional playground equipment might be useful, especially swings for younger children.
Jeremy Larter
7 months ago
As there is limited shade, it would be great to have a large gazebo with seating, similar to what is at CML. The school has one of the largest green spaces/open grass in athol, and should be left as is. It's a place where children have a ready made safe space to run around and play games together, without worrying about traffic. They get to explore, have more freedom and be more independent. Green space also gives children more contact with nature with access to grass and earth, and the opportunity to interact with also trees, birds (esp the osprey), insects, bushes and flowers. Kids and their families can interact with all of this and learn about the natural world around them. And all evidence shows that time in nature is also good for mental health. Families use the school afterhours and on weekend to learn how to rise their bikes, play baseball and soccer. I've seen post secondary athletes training for rugby and adults learning how to roller skate. ASM does not need a pickle ball court, in case that was in the plans.
One of the best things about the existing yard space is the open space where children (in and out of school) can play and run. I would think repairing and maintaining existing features would be the best use of the funds.
I think having an area dedicated to nature education with a natural playground would be awesome. A walking trail around the perimeter would be a wonderful addition and could be used in many ways. Fixing up the ball diamond and court are needed as well. Focusing on a family friendly space that the kids can use during the school day but that families can use on the weekends or event a space for family friendly events like Athol is very much needed.
Not only is soccer one of the most popular sports with our children in the County as a whole (with close to 1000 registered participants in PECSA this year and a growing adult league with approximately 150 participants) it is also beloved by the students at Athol South. And yet, the field is in poor shape. $14,000 would go a long way towards replacing nets and resurfacing the field to make it safe, and a high quality playing surface for our athletes and teams throughout the County who currently struggle to find adequate practice space. A good quality, safe field is also versatile: a place for creative play, ultimate frisbee, touch football, etc. Further investing in lighting would extend the playing season for County athletes, as there is currently no lit soccer fields in Prince Edward County.
Further developing the schoolyard should also consider resurfacing the existing courts and with a strong school community of runners, a 200 meter track should be considered as a future goal. The only track options are on the other side of the County in Wellington. Our local aging population would benefit from a consistent service for walking and rehab, and our school athletes would benefit from training on a surface without unsafe divots, around wooden stakes, and up hills.
Any decision should contribute and enhance our student experience while also providing a benefit to the overall community. An enhancement to the yard that does not take into consideration the current daily use of the yard would be a disappointing use of the funds.
We take our kids to the school regularly to play baseball on the field and to ride bikes in a safe area. We would love to see the ball diamond rejuvenated. The tennis court area is another space to consider. As it is fenced, it could be used as a multi-use sports area (tennis, basketball, ball hockey). A covered seating area would be nice for people to come on weekends to play and or rest for a bit (maybe where the current basketball court is if the tennis court could be renovated).
Small dog park with a tree and picnic table. Infant-friendly playground. A safe pond or waterfall feature. A waking path around the perimeter.
My family uses Athol-South Marysburgh School grounds as a playground park at least once a week in the spring/summer/fall months. It is a great space for kids to ride bicycles and scooters in the parking lot, as there is no danger from traffic. There is also plenty of room for the kids to run around. The former basketball/tennis court is in a sad state and could be refurbished. The old baseball diamond could also be be upgraded to accommodate the increased interest in baseball with kids and teens. New soccer nets could also be beneficial to the kids who play soccer in the area. It is a great space that could be used by more families. Additional playground equipment might be useful, especially swings for younger children.
As there is limited shade, it would be great to have a large gazebo with seating, similar to what is at CML. The school has one of the largest green spaces/open grass in athol, and should be left as is. It's a place where children have a ready made safe space to run around and play games together, without worrying about traffic. They get to explore, have more freedom and be more independent. Green space also gives children more contact with nature with access to grass and earth, and the opportunity to interact with also trees, birds (esp the osprey), insects, bushes and flowers. Kids and their families can interact with all of this and learn about the natural world around them. And all evidence shows that time in nature is also good for mental health. Families use the school afterhours and on weekend to learn how to rise their bikes, play baseball and soccer. I've seen post secondary athletes training for rugby and adults learning how to roller skate. ASM does not need a pickle ball court, in case that was in the plans.