A new park in Old East Village offers families a trip down memory lane in addition to outdoor activity.
The City of London announced on Wednesday that Lorne Avenue Park is now officially open. The public space stands on the site of the former Lorne Avenue public school - a neighbourhood staple that opened in 1875. The building it once occupied was demolished three years ago.
“Lorne Avenue Public School was an important part of the history of the Old East Village and the new Lorne Avenue Park will be an exciting part of its future,” said Ward 4 Councillor Jesse Helmer. “Residents here are proud of our community and fought hard to keep the school. Thanks to the work of the community, city staff and council, we now have a beautiful, new park to enjoy for years to come. More open public space in the core could not come at a better time.”
The new park includes a nod to the historic school with the late-1800s cast iron school bell and exterior signage letters from the newer 1960s building proudly displayed. In addition to that, old schoolyard favourites such as hopscotch and four square have been painted on the ground in the central plaza to allow a new generation of kids to enjoy them.
Other amenities in the park are a wooden playground, a community stage, a sensory garden, an insect hotel, rain gardens, and accessible walkways.
Parents fought long and hard for several years with the Thames Valley District school board to save the school after it landed on the chopping block due to declining enrollment. They ultimately lost the battle in the spring of 2014 when the board voted in favour of closure. The final bell rang at the school in 2016.
“The closure of Lorne Avenue Public School left a large gap in the heart of Old East Village,” said Lorne Avenue Park Steering Committee member and Old East Village resident Frank Filice. “Through the collaborative efforts of the community and the City of London, the establishment of Lorne Avenue Park on the site of the former school provides a valuable public space where people of all ages can gather to socialize, exercise and play, or simply enjoy being in a pleasing outdoor area in the centre of their neighbourhood.”
Phase two work to further enhance the park will include the installation of lounge chairs and gardens along English Street. Those will be completed as part of the upcoming English Street reconstruction project.
Park users are reminded by the city to adhere to local health guidelines put in place to protect against COVID-19. Those include maintaining physical distance with those outside of your household, frequent hand sanitization, wearing a mask or face covering, and staying home if you are feeling unwell.
