On July 18, Matt Dunfield, who is working to see the Falmouth Family Park project become a reality, spoke to the crowd gathered at the first ice cream bingo at Aunt Lisa’s Ice Cream Parlour in Windsor. The fundraiser brought in about $670 for the park. Also pictured are the parlour’s co-owners, sisters Heather Phillips, left, and Lisa Bower, centre. Photo by Jim IveyArticle contentThe Falmouth Family Park is slowly taking shape and by the end of the summer, the volunteers behind it are hopeful to have a play structure installed.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMatt Dunfield, a driving force behind the new park planned for 369 Town Rd., said while there is still a significant amount of fundraising left to do, the group is making headway.Article contentArticle content“It’s continuing along at a slow and steady pace,” Dunfield said. “We’re slowly making gains here and there.”Article contentArticle contentOn July 18, the group added about $670 to its coffers as an ice cream bingo and barbecue fundraiser was held at Aunt Lisa’s Ice Cream Parlour. It’s community support, and business buy-in, that is helping transform the formerly rundown ballpark into a community hub.Article contentDunfield first proposed the project in 2022 and has been working alongside a small but dedicated group of volunteers to see it through to fruition.Article contentThe overall vision for the site is to have an all-abilities playground with mobility friendly paths and a dog park.Article contentThere are currently walkways at the park and the majority of the property has been levelled in preparation for its use.Article content“We need a bulldozer first to help level off the back part a little bit better,” Dunfield said, noting that is where the fenced-in dog park will be located. He hopes a business may offer to do the work in-kind.Article contentArticle contentThe group is currently receiving quotes on installing playground equipment that was purchased last year.Article contentArticle content“We need to excavate a pad for it. We’re just taking quotes on that now,” Dunfield said.Article content With the grounds at the Falmouth Family Park cleared and ready, the volunteers working to transform the property are optimistic a play structure will be installed by the end of August, and then in 2027, a dog park. The biggest challenge has been raising enough funds to see their plans to fruition. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentGiven the high demand of construction crews this summer, he’s hoping to have a playground available for community use by the end of August.Article content“Unfortunately, it’s not going to be the accessible playground that we ultimately want,” Dunfield said. “It is something that we were able to obtain and put in place while we continue to fundraise for that accessible structure.”Article contentAs for the dog park, he’s hoping that will happen next year. The fencing alone costs around $24,000, he said.Article content“There’s a possibility that the dog park will be a mixed-use dog park, where one half can be rented for private use and the other half is open for general use,” Dunfield said about the evolving plans for the site.Article content“The rental side will help create revenue for the park to start it progressing a little faster and it will help keep up with the maintenance.”
Falmouth Family Park playground coming soon, dog park in the works
