ALBERTON
A $23,000 New Horizons Grant will enable a volunteer committee in Alberton to build a walking track.
The track, said Kathryn Curtis, chairwoman of a subcommittee of the Alberton Community Development Corporation, is the starting point for a park that will eventually include trees, flowers, planters and benches. It is being developed along town-owned land running alongside of Albion Street, former CN Rail property.
“We are very excited to see this go ahead because it’s been two years of work and I think it will be a great addition to the town,” added committee member Krystyna Pottier. “Especially because of where it’s located. It’s just a vacant piece of land and we are going to be able to make it something beautiful.”
The Town of Alberton provided the committee with two property options for developing the park, and the committee, which has been working on a plan for a walking track and memorial garden for two years, chose the vacant lot behind the Esso lot off of Church Street and extending to Poplar Street.
The Walking Track funding awarded to the Alberton Community Development Corporation was one of 16 New Horizons grants recently announced for the federal riding of Egmont by Member of Parliament Bobby Morrissey. The total value of the 16 grants is approximately $300,000.
Curtis said they hope to start working on developing the walking track as soon as the snow goes. They also hope to get a crosswalk across Church Street near that location so that users can have direct access to the Confederation Trail, and they hope to keep the new walking track accessible year-round.
Like many of the other projects approved for New Horizons funding the Alberton project is meant to help keep people, particularly seniors, active.
The flowers and the tree will come late, Curtis said, noting they will be applying for funding from additional sources.
The park will remain under the ownership of the town of Alberton which will look after maintenance, including grass mowing and snow clearing, and the electrical bill for the lampposts the committee wants to install.
New Horizons grants approved for the federal riding of Egmont
$25,000
O’Leary Legion for building renovations and equipment purchases
Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary for club renovations
Western Community Curling Club in Alberton for upgrades to the Seniors Community Room
Le Conseil scolaire communutaire Évangéline to develop programs such as pickleball
From $22,585 to $24,910
Community of Miminegash for upgrades to senior club room
Alberton Community Development Corporation for development of a walking track
St. Simon and St. Jude Parish, Tignish for renovations and equipment of parish kitchen
City of Summerside for ‘sharing World Health Organization age-friendliness through senior mentors across P.E.I.’
Slemon Park Corporation for seniors outdoor gathering space
Native Council of Prince Edward Island for ‘Bridging the Gap’
From $4,500 to $17,058
The George R Pearkes Branch 5 Royal Canadian Legion for new tables
East Prince Seniors Initiatives Inc. for Celebrating our Volunteers and a second project for Minds Matter
L’Association des Francophones de l’àge d’or de Île-du-Prince-Édourd for Keeping our Acadian Seniors Active
Le Conseil Rév. S-E-Perry Inc for Soyons Actif Ensemble
Palmer Road Columbus Club for Community Centre upgrades.
