Saturday, June 30, 2007

Last Minute Preparations in Allison park

Well, we are under 24 hours to go till our annual Canada day celebrations, flags where put up on the fence line coming into our neighbourhood, I bought over 300 hotdogs, the most ever purchased, hopefully that is enough for tommorow!

Chris from parks from the City came out to double check everything, and we got the fingers up, lets just cross our fingers and pray everything comes together for tommorows launch of our new splashpad.

Par-t-Perfect came by to do a site inspection and go over where everything will go, they will have a lot of staff and games and rides for the kids to play on.

http://www.allisonpark.org

Friday, June 29, 2007

New Picnic Tables For Allison Park


















Here is a picture of the new tables that I purchased for the park, they are brand new and made of cedar!!!

Now there will be more room for everyone to rest their aching bones!

No more swamp in Allison Park



















A week ago some neighbours asked me if there was anything that could be done to get rid of the swamp area behind their houses backing onto the park.

Here is a picture of what was done, the area was re-graded to allow the water to run into the storm sewer at the end of the park.

Seeding will be done as soon as it is completed!!

Many thanks to Best Boys Contracting services for doing such an excellent job!!!

http://www.allisonpark.org/


Thursday, June 28, 2007

More Updates in Allison Park




















Wow, crews are working around the clock getting ready for our big Canada day celebration, the park has been busy,busy,busy lately, Best Boys are in today taking care of some repairs.

The above pile of woodchips was ordered to level off our low spots in the playground areas.

Until we get a good rain there may be some dust on the little ones shoes and clothes.

Many thanks to Best Boys Contracting services for conducting the work in such a fast time.

Hamilton Fire Department Confirms for Canada Day

Once again the Hamilton Fire Department has confirmed that they will be able to attend our Canada Day event this year in Allison Park.

The children always enjoy this, heck the parents do also!!

Bring out your children and let them sit behind the wheel of the fire truck, make sure you bring your camera!!

The fire department also usually has some some fire brochures to hand out also, if you have any questions about fire safety, smoke alarms, etc..., this would be a good time to ask them, we have them for a few hours!!

Many thanks to the Hamilton Fire Department for coming out, to see pictures of them at past events, click on the Canada day link on our website, and look at the 2005,2006 pictures.

http://www.allisonpark.org

Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Splashpad is ours



















What an exciting day and time for residents of Allison Park!

Yesterday officials from the City along with contractors showed up for the official testing and handing over of the keys for our splashpad.

From left to right is Chris from the City,( what a great name, and a great guy! ) Dwayne from Ciciarelli ( they did a great job! ) and Eric from the City, ( Eric I look forward to working with you in the future! )

The pad was fine-tuned and tested, air bled from the system, and water pressures adjusted.

The pad is almost 100% and will be ready to go for our Grand Opening on Canada Day.

My events this year will run from 12 Noon till 4 p.m.

There will be a lot to see and do, it will be the biggest event I have hosted in the park since its inception back in 1999.

It will also be the most expensive( my accountants are cringing....)

So make plans for this day and we hope to see you there!!!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Official turnover of our new splashpad

Today we officially made one huge step forward to ownership of our new splashpad, with our contractor turning over ownership to us.

Things are now almost complete and ready for our grand opening of our splashpad on Canada Day July 1, 2007.

Canada Day will be huge wait till you see what I have planned!!!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Sidewalk Inspections in Allison Park

Over the years you may have noticed work crews fixing sections of our sidewalks that where defective.

I have had inspectors in the past come out and inspect the deficiencies and then submit their reports to have same fixed.

Over the last few days you may have noticed people walking around inspecting them also.

As a taxpayer I can speak to the fact that it is extremely important that we get value for our dollar, and that while our infrastructure is under warranty, we take full advantage of this, so we do not burden the taxpayer down the road with unnecessary contracting out of repair work.

If you notice a deficiency in the sidewalks or road, please let me know of this, as our warranty period is coming to a close.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Festival and Events Hamilton

Just to let you know that I joined Festival and Events Hamilton last year, and our logo of same is now on our front page of our website.

The membership fee I have paid for and donated by myself on behalf of the community.

The organization is a great resource tool for myself, as members can share ideas/concerns, and attend workshops and learn more about running events, etc...

And speaking of events, just wait till Canada Day!!!!

http://www.allisonpark.org

Saturday, June 16, 2007

YMCA Groundbreaking Ceremonies




















The crowd gathers awaiting the dedication and ceremonial tree planting for the new YMCA complex.

Many people have asked me about this over the years, I will get more information on-line under a seperate section soon.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Allison Park Residents want Hockey in Hamilton

Wow, what an emotional and draining last 48 hours!

And many City councilors, and media would agree with me!

Well, I did my part and put down 5 K for a corporate box.

I have been known in the past to reward those that volunteer during my events in the park, in the past week alone past volunteers where awarded with free tickets to my box at Copps to watch the Calder Cup Final, and last year also in Bob Youngs 2 boxes at Ivor Wynne!

So, if you ever needed a reason to volunteer, there you go!

Now get out and buy a ticket to our new hockey team!!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Further Park Updates at Allison Park

Yesterday I had a further meeting in the park with a department head and our councilor Scott Duvall, and we went over a list of items of park problems, and improvements.

1. I ordered 3 new picnic tables for the park.

2. More wood chips for the swing sets and playground equipment.

3. Properly grading the exterior of the park, bordering the sidewalk and the grass area around the park.

4. Correcting the grading of the park, where the " swamp" is, this will be dug out and the proper grade re-installed.

This work will be done throughout the year.

http://www.allisonpark.org

Monday, June 11, 2007

Sod Repairs in Allison Park

Today I visited with our contractor in our park, where repairs where made to various areas of the grass. These repairs will continue throughout the week, with new sod and topsoil added.

http://www.allisonpark.org

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Canada Day Activities

On Canada day we will be celebrating the grand opening of our new splashpad along with our usual activities, so please make sure you schedule this day in for a fun filled day!

Monday, June 4, 2007

More Park Updates at Allison Park

Last week during our Breast Cancer Yard Sale, a neighbour asked me what could be done about the " swamp" in our park.

An hour later ( sorry it took so long )I had a City Staffer come look at the problem, and we went to the neighbour and talked about some solutions to the problem.

Today I met and had lunch with two City staffers and I was told that there is a solution to the problem, and funding has been approved.

Many thanks to the City for being so responsive on this matter!

What we will do is to " Naturalize" the area, with some earth, wood chips, and small shrubs. All the wood chips should absorb the excess water, and the area will look nicer with the shrubs.

The absorption of the standing water will eliminate mosquito larvae and lower the nesting areas and hence west nile threat.

After looking over our schedules, a good time would be during our Halloween pumpkin carving contest to be held in October.

As details come available I will let you know, those living backing onto the park, it would be appreciated if you help out.

http://www.allisonpark.org

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Yard Sale for the cure

Just to let you know we raised a grand total of $ 800.00 in our yard sale last weekend. This money will be turned over to " Yard Sale For The Cure" which will then make a donation on our behalf to the Juravinski Cancer Clinic on Concession Street here in Hamilton.

As a first time event this was a great start, many thanks for all those whom participated in this great cause.

http://www.allisonpark.org