After successful fundraising by the Save Our Parks Committee, the Town of Slave Lake has backed away from plans to sell off Maple Tot Lot and Kinette Fun Time Park in the southeast corner of the town.
In May, council’s administration recommended selling off the two playgrounds in order to support larger quadrant parks instead of supporting a large number of smaller tot lots.
Following an uproar from the community, the Save Our Parks Committee was formed by local activists in order to raise funds that could cover the costs of rebuilding the tot lots up to the town’s standards.
Since the May 20 council meeting, the committee sent out 150 letters gathering support and raised $4,500 through a charity garage sale.
At the town’s council meeting on June 25, council was unanimous in its decision to continue work with southeast residents to install and update park equipment – as long as the committee meets its fundraising goals. An amendment was made by councillor Rob Chalmers to make the Kinette Park the first priority.
The town understands it will maintain the park if upgrading is fundraised for.
“It would be no cost for us the retain the parks,” said Karl Hill, director of community services, who added maintenance involves visiting the park three times a week to cut the grass and check equipment.
Councillor Rob Irwin congratulated the committee on its fundraising efforts and community involvement.
Since the town won’t be selling off the two parks as planned, development of a larger quadrant park will be slowed.
“The development of a soccer field will not happen,” said Hill.
Neighbourhood activist Byron Kashuba came into the meeting asking council to consider Option #I, which would have entailed town administration to continue work with the southeast residents to keep both parks open.
“They’ve been in the community for over 25 years,” said Kashuba. “We built them once, we can do it again.”
Kashuba is confident that the expected cost to refurbish the parks - $40,000 - can be raised. He told council he has been in contact with a charity organization in the United States that matches any fundraising to restore playgrounds by 75 per cent. Kashuba, who was hesitated to name the group before the committee could confirm all the details, says that if Slave Lake comes up with $10,000, this organization will pay the $30,000 and ensure it is Customs Self Assessment (CSA) approved Playworld equipment.
Kashuba says this organization has rebuilt over 100 parks to date, and has suggested Aug. 28 as the build date for Kinette Park, if fundraising and council approval is expedited.
“I’ve had so many people say they will help us,” said Kashuba. “Us, as a community, we want to rebuild these parks.”
Kashuba told council that government grants were another possibile source of funds for the project.
Council resolved to review the status of the two parks in one year’s time.

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