BOLTON, ON - The Town of New Tecumseth held an official ceremony last Wednesday to celebrate the completion of upgrades to Boulevard Park Playground in Tottenham. Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, David Tilson, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (FedDev Ontario); the Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport; and Mike MacEachern, Mayor of New Tecumseth, are pleased to see this important community recreational infrastructure project reach completion. 

The new playground at Boulevard Park features a new, fully accessible playground area and structure as well as wheelchair accessible walkways and energy-efficient lighting. The governments of Canada and Ontario and the Town of New Tecumseth have each committed up to $83,584 to the project, which has a total eligible cost of $250,750.

"Our government is investing in recreation facilities like this one across Ontario to create jobs, stimulate local economies and improve quality of life,” said MP Tilson. “This new playground provides the community with a modern, accessible outdoor space for family, friends and neighbours to gather, learn and play.”

“The project we are celebrating today supports our government’s Open Ontario plan to stimulate the economy and create new opportunities to support healthy, active living while creating jobs. In Tottenham, Open Ontario is supporting local trades and businesses while promoting a stronger, healthier community,” said Minister Margarett Best.

“The Town’s partnership with the provincial and federal governments has resulted in great expansion to The Boulevard Park,” said Mayor MacEachern.  “The park’s new mix of equipment, furniture and surface material encourages and supports the Town’s commitment to provide active play opportunities for all children regardless of ability. Kids just want to have fun and The Boulevard Park provides children living with disabilities equal opportunity for physical development and social interaction.”

This project is one of more than 760 across the province that is moving forward thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $380 million under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program in Ontario and the Ontario Recreation Program (Ontario REC). The governments of Canada and Ontario teamed up to support Ontario's communities and create jobs by improving recreational infrastructure, as these types of projects also encourage higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.rinc-on.ca