Update, November 27, 2011

There are a couple proposals before Council that would result in funding being provided to the NPDP and OAS for New Construction, however, they are just proposals.

We will not know for sure until the Budget is formally approved by the City in mid December, though we are cautiously optimistic that the right thing will be done.

We would like to thank everyone that contacted the Councilors and Mayor to let them know how they felt, and especially the staff and students of Dr. Donald Massey School that provided us with 93 letters from the students letting Council know how they felt about being "unfunded".

Unfortunately there is a Councilor that is telling people that our information is wrong, and that the program is funded.  I would like to let you know that our information has been thoroughly researched and confirmed, and I have already proven this Councilor wrong, though they continue to spread mis-information.  If you get a response from a Council member questioning the claims, please respond with an inquiry as to the status of "Community Services Project 12-28-7050, Neigh Parks & Outdoor Aquatic Strategy", and ask to see the Council vote that has reinstated funding to it.

Thank you,

Devin McIntosh

Chair, HKPS

We need your help!

The City of Edmonton Proposed Budget has been released, and there has been a drastic cut to new Playground developments. In fact, they have proposed to cut the budget to Zero.

What does that mean for the Hollick-Kenyon Park Society, and all other groups planning and fundraising to build City of Edmonton playgrounds? Well, unless we can convince City Council to change their minds and re-fund the Neighbourhood Park Development Program (NPDP) and Outdoor Aquatic Strategies (OAS) programs, our group will be forced to fundraise the City of Edmonton portion of the funds as well.

Under the current system, the City will pay up to 50% of the cost of a Playground, leaving the neighbourhood volunteers to find other Grants and fundraisers to raise the remaining funds. With this proposed cut, the City will not fund New Park Developments, forcing the Community to fund the entire project; just to turn over ownership of the community fundraised project to the City of Edmonton.

What can you do to help?

Phone and E-mail your City Councilor, Phone and E-mail the office of the Mayor.

This is a citywide issue that will affect every neighbourhood that wants to build a new playground. Please, let City Council know what you think, and forward this to others that care about the future of our city, and the future of our children.

Let City Council know that children deserve the right to have somewhere fun and safe to play, regardless of the age of their neighbourhood. This proposed cut means that there will not be another new playground in the City of Edmonton that is financially supported by the City of Edmonton until at least 2015. This will result in further polarization of wealthy areas building their own playgrounds, and the rest of the neighbourhoods getting nothing. Let City Council know that you do not support the cuts to the NPDP and OAS Programs, and that playgrounds are important to the health and happiness of all residents of Edmonton.

Not sure what Ward you are in?  Click here for the City map.  http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/ward-system.aspx

Mayor Stephen Mandel 780-496-8100

Send a message to mayor Mandel - City of Edmonton Website Link

Ward 1 Linda Sloan 780-496-8122

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Ward 2 Kim Krushell 780-496-8136

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Ward 3 Dave Loken 780-496-8128

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Ward 4 Ed Gibbons 780-496-8138

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Ward 5 Karen Leibovici 780-496-8120

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Ward 6 Jane Batty 780-496-8140

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Ward 7 Tony Caterina 780-496-8333

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Ward 8 Ben Henderson 780-496-8146

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Ward 9 Bryan Anderson 780-496-8130

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Ward 10 Don Iveson 780-496-8132

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Ward 11 Kerry Diotte 780-496-8142

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Ward 12 Amarjeet Sohi 780-496-8148

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Thank you for supporting your City, and the future of our neighbourhoods.

Devin McIntosh

Chair

Hollick-Kenyon Park Society

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www.hollickkenyonpark.ca

Help us build the playground in 2012!

We are proud to have selected our playground equipment supplier.  We held interviews with four different groups, and after a couple days were able to select the supplier that we will be working with to bring our dream to life.

Congratulations to Park N Play, we look forward to working with them to make this playground everything that it can be!

Click on the Park Project tab on the left to see the current plans!

Another AGM has come and gone.

Our executice for 2011 is:

Chair - Devin M

Vice Chair - Ron K

Secretary - Kim S

Treasurer - Chris W

Thank you to everyone that came out.  It is important to remember, it is up to us, the residents, to get this playground funded and built.

Without support of both dollars and time from the community, we cannot make it happen.