Have Your Say Shelburne!

We want your input to help improve the park’s accessibility, inclusiveness, sustainability to create a renewed vision of Jack Downing Park.

Feedback from the survey will help inform the Town about how to better fulfill the wants and needs of our community and build a blueprint that will help revitalize and redesign Jack Downing Park into the Community's Living Room.

Background

Jack Downing Park, is a pocket park (also called mini-parks) located in Shelburne's downtown core. The park is 5,735 square feet of public green space.

The parks location was a former gas station, and in 1998 John Robert “Jack” Downing advocated that the Town purchase the vacant land, which at the time was not considered a positive feature of the downtown.

Jack Downing raised about $34,000 to purchase the land and an additional $52,900 for the park development, which included receiving several grants. Many volunteers donated their time and labour to the project. The park was officially opened in June 2001.

Certain elements within the park have deteriorated with time and use. The wooden gazebo and brick pathways are in need of improvement.

In 2016, the Town of Shelburne undertook a comprehensive economic development strategy - whole Town Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP identifies specific actions required to implement the Town’s 10-year economic vision to be a progressive, diverse community with a vibrant local economy.

A Consultation Strategy identified stakeholders (Public, Businesses, Community Organizations and Staff) who were consulted throughout the process. The consultations resulted in the 12 Big Moves, with Jack Downing Park being Big Move #8 - Redesign Jack Downey Park to become the community’s ‘living room.’ The Redesigned Park will increase accessibility and provide a flexible space to accommodate special events i.e. Farmers' Market.

Town Council has committed to invest in the restoration of this jewel and invite residents to provide their opinions on improving the park’s accessibility, inclusiveness, and sustainability.