Follwing the demolition of the old Hydro Substation (aka The Clubhouse ) in Knollwood Park at the corner of Stirling and East Avenues the ANA lobbied with the City of Kitchener to direct some attention and funding to our community park which had been largly neglected for approx. 40 years and had become a mere grassy wasteland. With the support of our Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham we had an initial round-table meeting between the ANA board and City of Kitchener representatives in spring 2012 in which we agreed that the Dept. of Park Development under Glen Hummel would take a park revitalisation proposal the City Council the next year.
With this committment, The City and the ANA invited the East Village community to a park-walkabout to collect ideas and identify problems. City Landscape Architect Mark Parris and our District Community Services Facilitator Abbie Grafstein compiled a list of all ideas which was shared with the community.
On Sept. 10, 2012, the Auditorium Neighbourhood Association, in partnership with the City of Kitchener, presented a series of conceptual plans designed to improve the existing open space. Based on input received from the community, a preferred concept plan was generated reflecting the consensus of priorities of the community.
In January 2013, the City of Kitchener allocated $100,000 to the Knollwood Park Revitalization. A new trail and a playground extension have since been completed; a modernization of the sportsfields, a berm along East Ave. and the allocation of new trees and benches are in progress. In conjunction with the Park makeover, we are fundraising to build a pavilion where neighbours can meet, kids can take shelter from a storm during play and our seniors can find shade on a walk. The City of Kitchener is working with us to help us achieve our goal and will provide tax receipts for your generous donations.
Here is an overview of the construction scheduling
- Trail construction and baseball diamond relocation (completed)
- Playground expansion (completed)
- Construction of a berm along East Ave. (Fall 2013)
- Tree planting and Benches( Fall 2013)
- Reconstruction of Stirling Ave. (2014)
- Proposed construction of the pavilion by the ANA (2014)
Auditorium Neighbourhood Association 