‘I believe in what they are doing’
The Barrington Leisure Park under development in the Barrington Passage business district now has even more space for playing, thanks to a generous land donation.
Late last year Clark’s Harbour businessman Fenton Cunningham, co-owner of Sea Star Seafoods, and his wife Linda, donated a parcel of land that borders the park property at the rear, close to the Barrington Bay multi-use trail that runs through the community.
“I saw all the kids out there playing, skateboarding and doing what they wanted to do and it just warmed my heart,” says Cunningham. “I believe in what they (BLPA) are doing. There’s been quite a few free-hearted people, different contractors who have done things, so I tried to do my part too.”
Cunningham made the decision to donate the land after speaking with Barrington Leisure Park Association (BLPA) chair Evelyn Brannen.
“When he said he was donating the land I said wow, you’re taking me off my feet,” says Brannen. “It’s a nice piece of property that joins right onto the park. We’re very grateful for his generosity.”
Cunningham says the work the BLPA has done in a short time is catching people’s attention.
“They are doing things for kids and older people,” he says. “Sometimes that’s all older people need is a place to go, sit down and watch young people play.”
Living an active lifestyle is also important to Cunningham. “Outdoor activities for the kids and for adults too are important,” he says. “I still cycle and do whatever I can do.”
Since the BLPA acquired the Barrington Passage property in November 2019, they have developed it to the point of creating a parking lot; installing wooden skateboard ramps and apparatus; signage; park amenities such as picnic tables, benches, basketball hoops and hockey nets; and a walking trail connecting the park to the Barrington Bay Trail.
They have also had a conceptual design prepared for the parks’ future development.
“The conceptional design is done and paid for. Now we need the funding to put everything in place,” says Brannen.
The conceptional design gives direction to the development of the park in three phases. Brannen says the design is well planned.
A skateboard park, a playground and a splashpad are the three main phases of development of the park in the conceptional design.
“Everything else for individual sports like hockey or basketball is in between. It’s going to be a beautiful park,” says Brannen.
Support from the community over the past two years for development of the park has been phenomenal, Brannen says, with people and the business community donating and creating fundraisers and local contractors donating their time and talents.
Recently, several local businesses donated 10 per cent of their sales for one day to the BLPA. “With that happening the park can really move ahead if more businesses take that on,” Brannen says.
“We’ve had a lot of public support,” she says, adding the Municipality of Barrington has been strong supporters of the park by providing grants in 2020 and 2021 to the BLPA and donating two hockey nets to the park.
“It’s just unbelievable how much support has come in," says Brannen. "We, as a board, are overwhelmed with the amount of support we’ve gotten in such a short time.”
Brannen often takes the time to talk to people – in particular the older youth – who use the park and asks them what they like about it and what they would like to see happen there. A lot of their suggestions, such as a playground for younger kids, a walking trail connecting to the multi-use trail and a place to socialize, have a lunch, a picnic or even birthday parties, have already been incorporated into the park or is part of the conceptional design.
Brannen says the feedback she has consistently gotten from the youth about why they like the park is because it’s a place they can hang out, they feel welcome and it’s free.
The BLPA is a non-profit organization. Tax receipts can be issued for donations. Further information is available of their Facebook page.