About this site

Welcome to the official site regarding Ed Blake Park.

This site is maintained under the umbrella of North East London Community Engagement committee (NELCE). It is  part of their ongoing project of helping the communities within the North East Cooridor to develop a voice for and pride within the distinct and diverse communities.

The Ed Blake Community Association consists of volunteer members who have a belief that Ed Blake Park can be so much more than what it has become. Today in 2008 it is – a blank canvas, an open field, an undeveloped pasture, a gem waiting to be discovered - just to mention some of the ways it was been described. As an Association we hope to work with all those that are interested in developing the Park into a place where all ages can find a place to play, to relax, and to enjoy nature in the midst of our busy community.

Please take the time to check out the various sections or pages that make up this website. We hope you will  join our Association. We need the inspiration, suggestions ( positive and otherwise), and common goodwill of our community to ensure that Ed Blake Park is developed into a place where our generations and future generations will find peace and comfort.

Be assured that to the best of our ability, this will be a secure website. Your membership information and/or comments will only be shared with your permission. We are not trying to generate e-mail addresses for ‘spamming’ but we want dedicated and interest people who seek to improve the quality of life along the North East Corridor.

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Architectural drawings created by Reforest London to be available by the end of July

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About the Ed Blake Park Community Association

Ed Blake Park has been described by some as an unkept pasture and by others as a blank canvas. Depending on how you look or looked at the Park, the focus for the residents and the City of London changed during the April 3^rd, 2008 meeting. For the first time, in recent memory, the City came to the meeting with no agenda and was asking the users and residents within the adjacent community for their input regarding the development/redevelopment of the Park.

 

The Stormwater Management Division Of the City of London, without explaining why the unannounced delay , stated that the rehabilitation of the McNay Drain, which runs through the Park would be started and completed within the 2008-2009 time frame. This allowed the Parks Planning and Design Department, represented by Manager Andrew Macpherson and Community Services/Neighbourhood and Children Services, represented by Paul D’Hollander, to start the consultation and planning process for how the Park will eventual look like.

 

From the April meeting a list 15 residents was created that expressed interest in establishing a group to consider ideas for the Park. A series of meetings took place (See Meetings/Minutes) and the ED Blake Park Community Association was formed.

 

The City held a second meeting for interested community members and stakeholders during the last week of June.

 

The City will hold the next general meeting after the results of the Kipps Lane Initiative have been published. It is expected the extensive survey used in the Initiative, will provide additional information that might be relevant to the development of recreational facilities within the North East corridor and in particular for Ed Blake Park.

Something to Discuss?

Use this form to submit an idea you would like to have discussed by members of the Ed Blake Park Community Association.  The site moderator will review your submission and contact you before posting it for discussion.

July 26, Blossom Gate Apartment barbecue – results later

At the first anniversity party for the Blossom Gate apartments, the Ed Blake Park Community Association, set up a table and display board. The community was asked as they stopped to see the display, what items would they like to see in the park.

The following items were identified by the 27 individuals or families that stopped an completed the sign in sheet:

• splash pad                     19
• playground equipment   17    
• sitting areas                   11
• trees and gardens          10  
• picnic area with shelter   7
• wading pool                    1
• baseball diamond           1       

The overwhelming feeling was the area needed more greenspace for families to play in and enjoy nature while an increase in playground equipment, including a spashpad was an absolute.

July 22, youth in community

Richard Cook, a member of the Ed Blake Park Community association, met with a number of youth in the ares over a two week period. He specifically asked what they (the youth of the area), would like to see in the park. From the discussions the following pattern emerged:

• soccer fields.  One group described the enclosed fields often seen in Eastern Europe. They suggested the walled facility could then be used for ball hockey, inline skating, and possibly ice hockey in the winter.
• basketball courts and additional hoops that could be used in the evenings
• volleyball courts – sand and grass or hard surface
• tennis courts were suggested by two youth. When asked, others said they would like to learn how to play but would only do so if the facility was readily available.

Mr. Cook suggested skateboarding, football, and cricket. None of these sports received favourable comments.

It should be noted that the youth were more interested in the quantity of facilities rather than the quality. Having two average type facilities were more important than one really good facility. This was mentioned several times, especially by the girls, who felt they might have a chance to use the equipment if more were available.

July 15, 2008 EBPCA Beacock Library

The meeting on July 15 became a brainstorming session with the representatives from Reforest London and the community members. The process was as follows:

We initially posted all the possible items from all the meetings, including the two City lead meetings, that participants wished they could see becoming part of Ed Blake Park. We then tried to match up the age group(s) most likely to use each item. It is important that we try to create spaces for all age groups to feel comfortable in seeing the park as a place for everyone to enjoy. Next, we group the ideas and placed them on a large map of the park.

From this initial plan, after much discussion and revision of placements, Reforest London, took our ideas and said they would create an architectual plan of what the park might look like with our wish list.

It is important to remember this is only a wish list and was created so a wider range of discussion within our community, the wider community of the North East, and all the partners or stakeholders who may wish to share in the redevelopment of the Ed Blake Park can take place.

June 18, 2008 Ed Blake Park Community Association Beacock Library