Article reprinted from Hamilton Mountain News

Plenty to celebrate at Allison Park on Canada Day
Kevin Werner, Mountain

(Jun 29, 2007)
For about seven years the Allison Park community has waited in anticipation for their annual Canada Day celebrations in what has become a high point of the year for the community.
But this year's Canada Day festivities could be the last one held in their newly restored community park.
"I will leave it up to the community," said resident Chris Ecklund, who has organized and paid for the Canada Day activities, along with upgrading the park. "I don't know if it will be the last one. People believe it may be and there is the expectation the crowds will be huge this year."
Mr. Ecklund, a local business owner, moved to the Allison Park area, located at the corner of Upper Wellington and Rymal Road in 1999. He surveyed the neighbourhood and asked if he was going to simply fade in the background and live quietly in the community or get involved and continue his philanthropic work.
His dilemma didn't last long.
Soon after he spearheaded a drive to redevelop Allison Park. This week the city will take ownership of the newly installed splash pad that has been in the planning stages for a few years.
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Mr. Ecklund has also sponsored annual Halloween and Christmas events in the 300-home community; organized a golf tournament and treated his neighbours to Canada's Wonderland. This year he is concentrating only on the Canada Day celebrations - but without the fireworks.
He will spend about $10,000 on this year's Canada Day event.
"A few years ago we stopped counting at $100,000," he said. "It's about the community. It's about the kids. To see a smile on a child's face is thanks enough."
Even without the fireworks, the festivities, which begin at noon and continue to 4 p.m. will include five inflatable jungle gyms, clowns, balloon twisters, face painters, hula hoops, a barbecue ready to grill about 500 hot dogs to feed the estimated 300 people expected to turn out. A Canada Day cake will be cut, not only celebrating Canada's 140th birthday but also the opening of the splash pad.
The city will also be on site with a fire truck, emergency service personnel, and the Hamilton Police Service bug.
Even though Mr. Ecklund is talking about pulling the plug on the event, he has spoken to city staff about adding to the park. He is encouraging the city to construct an entrance at the intersection of Upper Wellington and Rymal Road that identifies Allison Park. As well, residents have talked about building a hockey rink for the community's use at the park.
Mr. Ecklund is reluctant to talk about the reason for contemplating ending the annual tradition, saying only over the last few months some people have become disruptive within the community.
"It's disheartening when you have a bad apple spreading their lies," he said. "It affects community, and provokes fear."
Mr. Ecklund has contacted the Hamilton Police Service about a number of incidents that have occurred.
Meanwhile, the event is free to anyone in the city to have a piece of cake and soak up some community spirit, he said.
"This is a huge, huge day for us as a community," said Mr. Ecklund. "This completes the master plan that was started seven years ago.
"I love the neighbourhood," he added. "I'm very proud of what has been accomplished." For more information about the July 1 event, log on to www.allisonpark.org.