Work is underway to upgrade the play equipment at Centennial Park in Watford, making it the first fully accessible playground in Warwick Township.
The Watford Park Playground Revitalization Project began on June 1.
Mayor Todd Case said it'll take approximately two weeks to complete the work. Until then, the playground will be closed to the public.
"We look forward to seeing the finished product," Case said.
The Township of Warwick received $125,000 from the federal government's Enabling Accessibility Grant program to support the project. The remainder was committed through the 2026 budget process out of reserve funds.
"The nice thing about this project is no taxpayer dollars were used," Case said. "We have funds that come to us with our relation with Bluewater Power, so we get dividend cheques every year from Bluewater Power, and that money goes into the reserve fund. We also have funds that come to us for the few wind turbines we have in the community, they pay us a community commitment payment."
The playground revitalization is part of a multi-year, phased Centennial Park Revitalization Plan, which was included in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
"From my standpoint, the next piece of this whole puzzle would be to get the same thing done at the Warwick ballpark. It was something discussed at council and we've applied for the same kind of grant to hopefully get that done there as well," Case said.
He said it's likely something the next council will consider once they're sworn in after the fall municipal election.
"The rest of the phases, when it comes to Watford and East Lambton Community Complex, have not been approved by council," Case said. "The only part that's been approved by council is the playground equipment at this time."
The full Centennial Park Revitalization Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan can be found on the municipality's website.
