Altona's Ash Park gets new picnic shelter and more

A well-established green space in Altona's south end has received a few upgrades. 

"The Ash Park green space is, for some people, a bit of a surprise if they've been in the community all their life, and don't live in that end of town," says Recreation Manager Eric Hildebrand. "I think what we're seeing now is a bit of a turnover of families in that neighbourhood that are moving into these homes, more younger children. We've been listening to the residents in that area that have been asking for more amenities in that space.

Coming into this season, the town was able to budget for some improvements to Ash Park, the most noticeable being the addition of a covered shelter.

"We added a park shelter early in the season, a covered facility similar to the park shelters in the Centennial Park. "We also created a path from the asphalt trail right to the shelter. We will be hard surfacing that with asphalt as well so that is fully accessible."

The shelter can be booked - at no charge - through the Recreation Office or online at the town's website. 

More recently the town placed a brand-new washroom facility near the playground. Hildebrand says it might be the largest and nicest portable washroom you've ever seen. 

"It's built to withstand the elements," says Hildebrand. "It can be moved from site to site, so if we find that there is an event in the community that may benefit more from having another washroom on site, we may be able to take it out of that space and move it to another space temporarily and of course place it back there."

Hildebrand sees the new shelter and washroom serving visitors well in all seasons. 

"The cement pad in Ash Park is well used year-round, specifically in the summer by many people who are playing basketball at Ash Park. We look forward to winter as well when that space transitions into an outdoor skating facility and the outdoor toboggan slide as well."


With files from Candace Derksen

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