Festivities make Winick Community Park official

Winick Community Park on the corner or Coralbell and Wine Cup streets south of downtown Wellington, is now official. It took more than a few costumed pirates and their fancy ladies, the mayor, chair of the Chamber of Commerce, members of the Park Advisory Board and a slew of happy kids to make it happen on Saturday, May 16.

The welcome sunshine made it possible to fully enjoy the donated bagels and drinks, a festive bubble machine and artistic face painting by Ashley Macdonald, trustee and park advisory board member. The crowd gathered around 10 a.m. and the dedication ceremony followed soon after.

Allan Winick, whose family once farmed the ground under the park and whose generosity made the sturdy park sign possible, cut the ribbon – officially opening the park. The land surrounding the park was sold for development and the Town of Wellington purchased land from the developer for the park.

Park Advisory Board Member Lorilyn Borchardt and Macdonald were prime movers in the creation of the park. They both saw the need for play equipment in the park, which serves the Columbine development. There was plenty of green space, but no play equipment for younger kids to enjoy while older kids played soccer. “We like the idea of themed parks,” Borchardt said. “We chose pirates for this one and in the future will come up with other ideas — perhaps an enchanted forest.”

“We chose to develop this pocket park by adding swings and the pirate play equipment because it was within our budget to do so and provided a balance with the other parks being developed in the area,” Macdonald said.

The festivities were over quickly, but the park is here to stay. It is a welcome addition to the amenities available in a growing section south of town.