Palmerston Lions Club members were honoured on Nov. 12 by the citizens of Palmerston and Town of Minto for creating the Lions Heritage Park on former railway property.
By the end of last summer, the Lions had laid 250,000 bricks and toiled 20,000 hours to build the park and a pathway that spans the distance between Main and Toronto Streets.
The special evening for the Lions came about because several citizens of Palmerston felt the Lions should be recognized.Nov. 12 was the date chosen, in consultation with Lions Club president Ron Elliott, to coincide with an official visit by Lions district governor Jim Prenger of Kincardine.
Roughly 70 volunteers assisted with the event, including the Palmerston United Church, Palmerston Car Show members and the kindergarten class of Mrs. Verbeek and Miss Pfeffer at Palmerston Public School.
After the dinner, the Lions were surprised by the arrival of about 30 volunteers to observe the presentation by four citizens who had prepared speeches to honour the Lions on behalf of the citizens of Palmerston and the Town of Minto.
Shannon Duff, who grew up in Palmerston, was master of ceremonies, introducing a power point “walk through the park” and sharing her memories of the railway lands with knee-deep weeds before the land was beautified.
Tyler Bernier, grandson of Lion Bob Emmerson, spoke about his grandfather’s part in bringing the park to life and how proud he is of his “Lion Grandpa,” not to mention how grateful he is to all the Lions for providing a super place for youngsters to play.
Palmerston resident and Minto councillor Rick Hembly thanked the Lions Club for all the accomplishments achieved over the years, recalling his father’s time as a Lion and how he always spoke so highly of his fellow members. As a boy, Hembly explored the railway yards, arriving home downright dirty. Today he proudly runs the 19 acres, with no black soot in sight.
Also expressing his appreciation to the Lions was former Palmerston Observer publisher Laverne Long, who reminisced about the Lions Club’s long-time support of projects that encourage local youth to be active.
The Lions hired a bus in the late ‘40s to transport public school children to swimming at the Fergus Beatty Brothers Swimming Pool. The club provided hockey equipment, and coached and sponsored minor hockey. Today, the Lions Heritage Park boasts a swimming pool, splash pad, Sports pad and children’s playground.
The presentation closed with words penned by Palmerston resident and former high school teacher Royden McCoag.
“The Lions stepped in. The club had a vision of making a park that would be the envy of every small town in Ontario. Now look at what we have … I appreciate it very much and I have yet to meet a citizen or visitor who doesn’t.”
The Lions received a standing ovation from the gathering.
submitted by Connie Robinson
