Construction starts on new Kenmount Terrace park, will include trails, playgrounds, skate park and more

Construction of a new park in the Kenmount Terrace area of St. John's beganon Friday with a ceremonial sod turning, and while most residents in the area are elated, not everyone is quite as enthusiastic.

Now we can be out and be active, and be safe.- Brittany Tibbo

The $10-million KenmountTerrace Community Park comes after years of complaints from residents who felt the relatively new neighbourhood lacked the green space and walking trails they were promised during the early years of development.

But followinga two-year engagement process and the creation of a steeringcommittedmade up of residents, the park is now set to become a reality.

The cost for the new park is being shared equally between the provincial government and the city of St. John's.

KenmountTerrace resident Brittany Tibbo, who was also on the steering committee,says families like hers are looking forward to taking advantage of the area once it's completed.

"A park is essential to a healthy family and a healthy lifestyle. Now we can be out and be active, and be safe. So the infrastructure that comes with the park will help families do that."

The outdoor park will include playground areas, a splash pad, basketball court, skate park, dog park and a walking trail.

There will also be amulti-use community centre with a full sized gymnasium, two multipurpose rooms and a kitchen.

While most residents at Friday's sod-turning were happy to see work finally starting, at least one has continued to complain about the development.

Resident and steering committee member John Fitzgerald told the St. John's Morning Showthat there are still missing linksto the park's development.

He saidthe area needs benches, sidewalks and trails so people can get to the park safely.

"You're taking your life in your hands if you go down Kenmount Road. There are no sidewalks on Kenmount between Great Eastern (Avenue) and LadySmith (Drive)," he said.

"There are a thousand homes up there. Half of those homes have basement apartments. So its about six thousand people up there. Young families, people with strollers, runners. It great to talk of a park, but this is a park we're going to have to drive to get to."

But residents like Jennifer Neary, who is also on the committee, saythe park is long overdue and are excited to see the next steps in construction

"We have a really great group of people that live here but certainly we are missing some of the much needed pieces that make for a happy and healthy community," she said.

"There's a great lack of green space, walking trails and even simple things like crosswalks. So this is a necessary step that the city is taking."

Full details on the new park can be found on the city's website.