Flood mitigation work helped prevent the potential loss of “Lego Park” in Black Diamond’s northwest.
The Town received a $31,726 grant from the Canadian Red Cross Society to help replace playground equipment damaged in Wilrich Park in the 2013 flood under the condition it wouldn’t be in an area susceptible to flooding.
The park, often referred to by locals as “Lego Park,” is located in the flood plane on Second Avenue NW.
However, residents were concerned about moving the park. Les Quinton, manager of parks and recreation, discussed the issue with the Red Cross, informing the organization that a flood-protection berm was being constructed in Sheep River along the existing site. The Red Cross agreed that the park could remain where it was due to the extra flood protection.
“We were able to put it in the same place because of the diversion berms,” said Quinton. “The residents are very happy. They are anxiously awaiting its opening.”
Keeping the park at the site caused a delay in its construction, which was originally anticipated for the summer, as the grounds were needed for machinery to access the Sheep River to construct the berm, Quinton said.
“They were going through right where our playground equipment is to put the diversion berms in,” he said. “We had to wait until they were finished construction before we could put the playground in.”
Quinton said construction of the berm was complete in mid-August and the playground equipment was installed in late August.
Although the playground is ready for use and tempting youngsters eager for play, Quinton said a fence is cordoning off the park until work is done adjacent to the playground equipment.
“We didn’t want it open while they were still working there,” he said. “As soon as it’s done the park will be open and we’re hoping that will be in a couple of weeks.”
The work includes construction of an outfall carrying storm water to the river and landscaping that must be complete before the park can be open to the public, he said.
“We’re hoping to have it open fairly soon,” he said. “I’m hoping in the next week or two.”
Quinton said the equipment is now located further south of the previous playground to allow for vehicle access to the new berm through north side of the site. The basketball court and trees have remained untouched, he added.
The previous playground equipment, which was within five years of its 30-year life expectancy and was dented during the flood, was removed last summer and donated to the Emmanuel Foundation for International Community Development to be repaired and used in a third world country, said Quinton.
He said it would have cost the Town $48,000 to fix the equipment and another $80,000 to replace it in five years. The new equipment includes swings, slides, a climbing structure and springs.
Joanne Irwin, chief administrative officer, said she is glad the park hasn’t been relocated after all and that the Town only considered relocation because of the Red Cross’ grant funding stipulations.
“The disaster recovery program would only authorize about half the cost of the equipment,” she said, adding the additional funding was needed to replace the playground equipment. “The equipment wasn’t worth getting fixed because it was nearing the end of its life. It will be better than ever and it will be something that the community will really get value from.”
If the Town did have to relocate the park, Irwin said it would have only considered the northern part of Black Diamond.
The town has two other community parks — a large one located in Maplewood and a smaller one in Riverwood, which are both located south of Highway 22. A playground is also located at C. Ian McLaren School, also south of the highway.
“We wanted it on the north side of town,” Irwin said. “The only other place we could look at was towards Valley Ridge.”
In addition to the Canadian Red Cross’ financial contribution, the Town received $47,391 from the Province’s Disaster Recovery Program to cover the almost $80,000 needed to replace the equipment.
