City View Park is now officially open - well worth a visit

By Pepper Parr

July 17th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

With more than $1 million in city hall talent on site to officially open the new pavilion at City View Park, the ribbon was cut officially unveiling the new public art piece titled, ‘SOAR’. Mayor Meed Ward, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, project partners and City staff helped cut the ribbon to the building and unveil the public art.

The pavilion is open for community use and all are welcome.

The entrance to the park is off Kerns Road

It was a Friday afternoon, lovely weather and a chance to get out of the office. Just how many actually work in city hall is an unasked question. Not a mask in sight.  L-R Angela Paparizo, Rich Trella, Scott Virgin, Chris Glenn, City Manager Tim Commisso, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Graham McNally, Patrick Tucker, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Paula Hamilton, Jennifer Johnson, Paul Swioklo, Wynn McDonald, Allan Magi.

City View Park Pavilion
The pavilion is designed to be environmentally friendly and features public washrooms, community space, covered terrace, a water refill station and seating.

It is a key feature for Bruce Trail hikers to meet or continue their adventure and a significant milestone towards the completion of the City View Park Master Plan.

The City View Park Pavilion is exceptionally well fitted out. This should become a much sought venue for events.

• The design of the building features sustainability, water and energy efficiencies and is a symbolic connection between new construction and the unique natural setting of the escarpment.
• Green building measures have been incorporated using a wood structure, an onsite well filtered for drinking water and onsite sewerage disposal system.
• The building does not use any fossil fuels in its operation. By using solar power, the building will achieve net-carbon neutrality: the roof-top solar panels produce the electricity the building uses.
It also has:
• Public washrooms;
• A community room open for casual use and organized sport tournaments;
• Indoor public gathering area that can be used by all park users;
• Exterior space with an outdoor, covered terrace;
• Accessible parking and drop-off area;
• Interpretive displays highlighting the unique park setting on a large display screen and two smaller information screens;
• Public art, SOAR, by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari.

Sheltered area – public washrooms are part of the structure.

When first opened the Park was exclusive to soccer players taking part in the Pan Am Games.  Two of the soccer fields had artificial turf – which was controversial at the time and probably would not have been installed if the decision were to be made today.

It is a very large park – closer to Hamiltonian’s than most Burlingtonians

The 17-foot-tall metal sculpture, created by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, reflects the rich natural heritage of the region, in particular the Niagara Escarpment.

About the public art, SOAR
The 17-foot-tall metal sculpture, created by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, reflects the rich natural heritage of the region, in particular the Niagara Escarpment. From the life-giving and mighty Niagara Falls, the iconic flora and fauna that gives special identity to the ecosystem of the region such as the Calypso Orchid, Southern Flying Squirrel, and Spotted Turtle, to the cedar forests and their immense, interconnected, underground root system.

The diversity of materials used creates a beautiful play of colours that can often be seen in nature and alludes to the diverse and united community of Burlington.

Somehow the people got in the way of the sculpture – hard to tell just what it looks like Mayor took up most of the photo op space.  L – R Allan Magi, Chris Glenn, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Angela Paparizo, Jennifer Johnson

‘SOAR’ is a reflective mirror of the rich natural heritage of the site and celebrates the gracious and honourable ambition of appreciating and protecting the environment and ensuring its passing on to future generations.

The applied words THROUGH – NATURE – WITH – LOVE – WE – THRIVE in ‘SOAR’, create an infinite circulation that reflects the ultimate message of the artwork: by loving our nature, valuing and protecting it, we may grow and thrive within it peacefully.