Community Park Opens Thanks to Volunteers

Five years of effort by a group of Pictou County volunteers will culminate in the opening of a park in Westville later today.

Highlights of the event will include a ceremonial transfer of the park lands from the volunteers to the Town of Westville for upkeep.

"This park was created, built and funded in large part by the work of more than 100 Westville volunteers," said Carla MacIntosh, chairperson of the Westville Community Park Committee. "These volunteers have done it all. They've raised money for the project, installed the gazebo and built the flagpoles. They've even planted the flowers and shrubs."

Acadia Park also includes a trail, a wrought-iron archway, a children's playset, washrooms and the miners' monument. The monument, which will be re-dedicated during today's ceremony, was moved to the park from Drummond Road for greater visibility.

The park land, developed on the site of the former Acadia Colliery, was donated by Pioneer Coal. A mural of the colliery was painted on the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission building, which borders the park, by local artist Colin Cook.

Funding for Acadia Park was provided by a number of community groups and organizations, including New Glasgow Kinsmen, Westville Rotary, Pioneer Coal, Westville Ventures, Home Coming Society, and Garden Club, along with local citizens. The province of Nova Scotia, through Economic Development and Sport and Recreation, invested $71,238 for amenities. Total project costs are estimated at $300,000.

"This park is a fine example of community economic development," said Jim DeWolfe, MLA for Pictou East, who will attend the ceremonies on behalf of Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "It's also one more great reason for visitors to stay a little longer and spend a little more."

Ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. in the Acadia Park gazebo.