The Harriston Kinsmen Club is committing $25,000 over the next five years to the development of the new Tannery Park.
Club President Mike Lawless made the announcement at Minto council at its June 21 meeting.
“Twenty-five thousand does help us get this project underway and we’ll be working on it this summer,” Mayor George Bridge said of the funding commitment.
“This is the type of project we continue to find working with service groups we can get a lot done.”
Known as Tannery Park, the downtown park project is located above the Maitland River on a vacant lot between the Remax office and Friends Caring and Sharing along Elora Street.
In that part of town, the river flows under a number of downtown buildings and, at one time, the park location was no exception.
Today the view from the main street is several support beams spanning the river. With the plan proceeding, the metal beams will be covered with decking that would support benches, interpretive panels, planters and a guard rail.
A portion of the property will still overlook the river below, but will also provide a mural location focussing on Harriston’s history.
Plans for the rear of the property call for shade trees, plantings and gravel pathways.
