Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom
Kingsville, Ontario Community Profile
July 20 - 22, 2015
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Table of Contents
Welcome to the
Town of Kingsville
Overview of the Town of Kingsville.............................................4
Communities in Bloom Committee Members...........................9
Tidiness.........................................................................................11
Environmental Awareness..........................................................14
Community Involvement...........................................................18
Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation.......................... 32
Urban Forestry.............................................................................54
Landscaped Areas.....................................................................59
Floral Displays.............................................................................64
Turf and Ground Covers.............................................................75
Highlights.....................................................................................78
Future Goals................................................................................83
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The Town of Kingsville is rich in history and Victorian
era architecture. Primarily an agricultural community nestled
along the north shore of Lake Erie, the Town has declared
itself geographically the Southernmost Downtown area in
Canada. Kingsville enjoys an ideal growing climate and
benefits from a diverse technologically-based agricultural
economy, with natural and eco-tourism and opportunities
for all ages.
Kingsville values its heritage and is committed to
growth and renewal in a way which will ensure to offer
a small-town, friendly atmosphere while enhancing the
environment.
Kingsville boasts
some of the best known
wineries, greenhouses
and prime agricultural
lands and a small town
quality of life second to
none. Kingsville is not only
the destination of choice,
but the launching point
for adventures to Pelee
Island and Sandusky, Ohio via a regular ferry service shared
with Leamington.
The Town is strategically located within 30 km of
the City of Windsor and USA border with direct access to
Provincial Highway 401 via Provincial Highway Number 3.
The Town also has a commercial fishing port and seasonal
ferry services to Pelee Island and USA.
The Town was reincorporated on January 1, 1999 for
the purpose of combining the former Townships of Gosfield
North, Gosfield South and Town of Kingsville and provides
a unique blend of picturesque small urban centres to live
in such as, the Village of Cottam and Hamlet of Ruthven in
addition to the former Town of Kingsville.
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Message From The Mayor
Welcome to the Town of Kingsville Canada’s Most Southern Town!
Kingsville is a growing community that prides itself on its small
town feel. Together with our communities of Cottam and Ruthven,
Kingsville represents a close-knit community that is proud of its rich
heritage, comfortable climate and plentiful sights and sounds of our
year-round festivals and special events. Visitors are surprised by the
variety and beauty of this lakeside community and all it has to offer —
world class dining & entertainment, agricultural hub featuring traditional
farming, green housing, viticulture, and a wide variety of eco-tourism
options with our Greenway, Conservation Areas, Parklands and Peace
Gardens.
This marks the first year that the Town of Kingsville is participating
in the Communities in Bloom program. However, our community has long
been investing in its landscape and beautification thanks to its many
partnerships and support from the great volunteers and leadership
amongst our Kingsville Horticultural Society members. The municipality
has also maintained a co-operative beautification and floral program
with the Kingsville Business Improvement Association and its downtown
merchants over the years and we hope to continue this type of
participation throughout our town.
I would like to offer a sincere “Thank you” to all of the volunteers
and members who have come together for our Communities In
Bloom initiative and for the hard working Committee Membership
for your commitment to inclusivity and community participation in
this year’s program. The number of participants in the projects and
the sponsorships received are evidence of the success and proud
community spirit that is alive and well on Kingsville’s CiB Committee.
We know that Kingsville’s charm presents itself as one of the most
beautiful places in the World to live, work & play! And the Communities
In Bloom program provides an opportunity to showcase our community!
Sincerely,
Nelson Santos
Mayor of Kingsville
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Main St W
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Mill St W
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Kingsville Tour
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Day 1
July 20, 2015
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Division St
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Lake Erie
LEGEND
1) Lakeside Park
2) John Malott House
3) Howard Scratch House
4) Chrysler Canada Greenway
5) Kurtz Garden
6) Coda-Leach House
7) James Workman King House
8) Kingsville Legion
9) C.J. Green House
10) Francis R. Webb House
11) Epworth Parsonage
12) D.W. Canfield-William H. Hellems House
13) ACCESS Community Support Services Offiice
14) Kingsville OPP Station
15) Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre
16) Merli’s Coffee House & Eatery
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Kingsville Communities in
Bloom Committee
LEGEND
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1) Prospect House Bed and Breakfast
2) Mucci Farms
3) Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation
4) Allsop Farm
5) Mastronardi Estate Winery
6) Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens
7) Dairy Freez
8) Cottam Rotary Park
9) Ridgeview Park
10) Pretli’s Green Acre Farm
11) Murray’s Market
12) Ruthven Post Offiice
13) Ruthven Library
14) Lakeside Park
Starting Route
Returning Route
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Fox St
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Cottam
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Victoria St
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Deputy Mayor Gord Queen
Joan Washburn
Karen Batke
Alan Batke, President Kingsville Horticultural Society
Liz Rogers, Proprieter of Prospect House Bed & Breakfast
Sue Cosford
Brenda Geauvreau
Lydia Miljan - Kingsville Municipal Heritage Society
Mary Baruth - Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation
Sarah Holland - Kingsville BIA
Margaret Laman
Jim Laman
Tammy Park - ACCESS Nutrition Manager
Tim DelGreco - Town of Kingsville Facilities Manager
Corrie Gabriel - Town of Kingsville Manager of Municipal
Services
Maggie Durocher - Town of Kingsville Manager of Parks and
Recreation Programs
County Rd 34 E
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Road #3 E
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Jasperson Lane
Woodycrest Ave
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Division St
Sandybrook Way
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Ruthven
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Kingsville
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Lake Erie
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Kingsville Tour
Day 2 July 21, 2015
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The Town of Kingsville is a community that embraces
the reduce, reuse-recycle campaign in all aspects of the
community. Each municipal building has a red and blue
box, allowing them to recycle paper and plastics.
Tidiness
The green house industry and other local plant
retailers also recycle their plant trays and offer customers the
opportunity to recycle their used trays as well.
Town of Kingsville Parks Department ensures that
there are adequate tamper resistant garbage barrels and
recycling containers available at all parks, and increases the
component during
the heavily used
summer months.
As a no smoking
community under
a newly passed
2015 By-Law the
Town of Kingsville
parks, playgrounds
and playing fields
are smoke free
which assists in the
maintenance of these areas. Facilities also have cigarette
receptacles located at various locations to allow for the
appropriate disposal of cigarette and cigar butts.
The Town’s Municipal Services Department maintains
the cleanliness of the town’s streets on a regular basis with
the street sweeper program.
EWSA Transfer Station #2 operates six days a week
as a staffed, self-serve public facility where residents and
businesses can drop-off large volumes of waste for recycling
or disposal. Most of the Essex-Windsor municipalities provide
regular garbage, yard waste and recycling pick up at
curbside, however Transfer Station #2 exists for those items
which are too large for, or are in quantities large enough
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to render them
unacceptable at
curbside.
When electronic
products wear out,
break, or become
obsolete, it creates
a challenge
for disposal.
Fortunately, many
old electronic and
electrical products
contain valuable
components that
can be recycled.
Most electronics can be dropped off free of charge at
Transfer Station #2. EWSWA receives more than 20,000 tonnes
of grass, leaves and other yard waste each year. These
organic wastes are processed, shredded, screened and
cured into nutrient rich compost.
Environmental
Awareness
Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation maintains Road
3 West between Division and McCain Side
Road. This section of the Road has been
adopted by the Foundation and they
work to ensure that the road way is clear
of debris, waste or deceased animals.
In 2014, ACCESS youth
worked in the Downtown
Component to cover up graffiti
through their mural project.
They targeted various spots in
the area, converting graffiti
laden walls to historically
significant murals.
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In addition to being a reduce, reuse, recycle
community Kingsville also has a number of environmentally
conscious industrial and corporate partners within the
community whom exhibit good environmental stewardship
in their daily practices. Mucci Farms
has been growing gourmet vegetables
since the 1960s. The company owns
over 150 acres of greenhouses and
together with their support growers,
it is able to market over 400 acres of
Ontario greenhouse product across
North America. Innovative from the
beginning, Mucci Farms is proud of its
open-minded approach, steady growth, and commitment
to environmentally responsible business practices over the
past 50 years.
The Friends of Cedar/Mill and Wigle Creek are a
Kingsville based Friends of Watersheds Group. The Friends
of Watersheds groups are community based organizations
that improve our natural environment by cleaning up
watercourses, planting trees within their local watersheds,
and educating residents on various stewardship issues and
topics. Friends of Watersheds volunteers range in age from
8 – 80+ – there is something for everyone to do! Friends of
Watersheds take action to improve the environment we
all share. Some Friends participate in monthly planning
activities, while some just participate in our hands-on
environmental improvement events. If you are interested
in helping to improve water quality and natural areas near
your home, join us for our meetings or events.
Friends of Watersheds Groups work in their communities
to help improve the environment. Some activities in which
volunteers might participate are:
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watercourse clean ups
tree planting
wildlife/marsh monitoring
exotic species removal
backyard & schoolyard naturalization projects
environmental workshops and forums
nature walks
canoe excursions
fundraising events
The Town of Kingsville in an effort to promote water
conservation passed BY-LAW 55-2003 to regulate the
external use of water from the municipal water distribution
system. These watering restrictions are in effect during the
summer season in an effort to regulate watering of lawns
and gardens in the extremely hot weather.
Currently Kingsville also hosts a number of Riparian
Buffer zones which are a vegetated areas (“buffer strips”)
near a stream, usually forested, which help shade and
partially protect a stream from the impact of adjacent
land uses. It plays a key role in increasing water quality
in associated streams, rivers, and lakes, thus providing
environmental benefits. Currently there is a dedicated
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Community
Involvement
Riparian Buffer at Lakeside Park along Mill Creek and
another is planned for the pond at the Jack Miner Migratory
Bird Foundation.
In terms of stewardship, the Jack Miner Migratory
Bird Foundation located on Road 3 feeds and/or cares for
migratory birds who are transitory and or unable to fly due to
injury. The Foundation has a 400 acre “no hunt zone”. Jack
Miner has been dubbed the Father of Conservation. In 1904,
the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary was recognized
for the conservation
of migrating Canada
Geese and Wild
Ducks, was founded
and included the
waterfowl refuge
management system.
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Kingsville’s renovated recreation centre complete
with 4 new programing rooms, 7 dressing rooms, accessible
viewing area and new customer service area officially
opened in January of 2011. The project was completed
as a result of funding from the Federal and Provincial
Government, the Town of Kingsville, and business and
personal
contributions.
The most
remarkable
fundraising
project was
the Extreme
Build Home
that was constructed utilizing a work force of volunteers,
tradesmen and local building suppliers. The house was built
in one week, with the proceeds being dedicated to the
arena expansion project. Since then additional sponsors
have come on board to help fund the remainder of the
project.
Kingsville has a proud sporting history and in 2010
was the runner up in the Kraft Hockeyville competition. In
2015, the town will welcome a Major A Hockey Team to
its cadre with the arrival of the new GMHL Kingsville Kings.
Additionally, the arena is home to the Championship
Juvenile Hockey Team, ENSMA teams, and during the
summer, Sun County Crows Lacrosse League.
The Parks Recreation Arts and Culture committee
in conjunction with Town of Kingsville Administration and
community consultation completed work on the Parks
Recreation Arts and Culture Master Plan. This provides
the framework for growth and future development in this
area. At this time, two major recreation facilities are in the
planning phases: Mettawas Park Development, and the
Lions Hall Project. The Lions Hall Project will see the addition
of 12 pickleball courts, basketball court, bocce courts and
green space added to the town’s recreation facilities. This
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is a joint venture between the Lions Club and the Town of
Kingsville.
In February to bring awareness to Heart Month, the
Town offered free Level A CPR training on Family Day. This
provided a wonderful opportunity for families to come out
and learn these life saving techniques together. Two courses
were offered and both were filled to capacity. In 2016, we
will once again be offering this program on an expanded
basis.
June is Parks and Recreation month and Seniors’
Month in the Town of Kingsville. One of the highlight
activities of the week is the Older Adults Expo which is a
project of the Older Adults Committee and The Parks and
Recreation Department. The arena is filled with vendors,
and demonstrations of all nature. At this free annual event,
The Pickleball League provides the BBQ lunch and vendors
provide door prizes.
Kingsville is proud to
be able to showcase two
Bi National Peace Gardens
within the town. The First
Peace Garden was opened
in 2012 at the Carnegie
Visitor and Tourism Centre.
As plans were underway
for the completion, the
committee looked to
create a show piece for
the area that would be
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reminiscent of Kingsville’s past. Lumber played a large part
in the early years of Kingsville and therefore it was decided
that a water wheel component would be added to the
site. This water wheel was constructed by the students of
the Tech Zone Classes
at Kingsville District High
School. This spectacular
addition provides a photo
opportunity for many
visitors to Kingsville and is
a proud testament to the
work of the students from
our local high school. The
second Peace Garden
is located adjacent to
the north shore of Lake
Erie on the south side of
beautiful Lakeside Park.
This Peace Garden was
opened and dedicated to
the numerous volunteers
and their efforts which
were responsible for its
completion. This opening
was one of the highlight events of the Tall Ships Sails to Sea
Festival that took place in August 2013. Much like the story
Stone Soup this garden was assembled using a lengthy
list of donated items from local contractors, nurseries,
and community partners in combination with corporate
donations.
visitors alike. In 2015, the event which is the recipient of a
variety of provincial and federal grants will be showcasing
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy (Masters of the
Fiddle) as their headliners, along with over 30 other artists.
The second weekend in August the Town of Kingsville
plays host to the Kingsville Folk Fest. Under the direction of
local musicians John and Michele Law
this Festival provides 3 days of nonstop
entertainment. Featuring 5 stages,
children’s area, vendors, local wines and
craft beer, the premier festival in 2014 was
met by accolades from performers and
Events included:
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In 1947, The Canadian Government declared the week of
Jack Miner’s birth, April 10th 1865, to be National Wildlife
Week. Sixty-seven years later, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird
Sanctuary celebrates National Wildlife Week and in 2015,
celebrated and Jack Miner’s 150th birthday with activities
for all ages. Best of all, admission was by donation.
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Duck and goose calling competitions with divisions for Youth, Novice, Team, and Master.
A Canadian qualifier for the World’s Duck Calling Championship -Taxidermy Competition.
Photo Contest.
Kids’ Activities.
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• WINGDING fundraising dinner:
• Jack Miner birthday breakfast:
In mid June, Kingsville was proud to once again host
the Kingsville Community Carnival. For years the Lions Club
sponsored a summer carnival that was a hallmark for the
area’s families. In 2015, through a mutual agreement with
World’s Finest Shows Midway the carnival was re-introduced
to the community and was met with tremendous success.
The Carnival for 2016 is already in the planning stages, with
more community groups and artists being added to the
schedule.
Each Christmas
Kingsville kicks Christmas
off in a big way.
Migration Hall is the proud
presenter of the Christmas
House tours, while the
Town of Kingsville lights
up the night with the
Annual Fantasy of Lights
Festival. This Festival has been recognized by Festivals and
Events Ontario as a top 100 festival and features more
than 250 lighted displays all of which are created by the
Students at Kingsville District High School and are located at
Lakeside Park. The Festival gets under way with the Annual
Dinner with Santa with restaurants from Eat, Drink, and Dine
Kingsville volunteering their services and food for this event.
Following dinner with Santa the streets of Kingsville are filled
with smiling faces as the Annual Santa Claus Parade takes
to the street. Following the parade Santa officially flips
the switch to magically
light up the displays
at Lakeside Park, which
is followed by a huge
Fireworks Display.
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from Mid November to January 8 each year and features
a number of exciting events including miniature train rides
through the park. This train was created by the High School
welding class and Fantasy of Lights Volunteers. Holiday Sip
and Shop features local artisans and local wines, paired
together to make for a wonderful shopping experience.
Children’s crafts and movie night is also scheduled along
with an Older Adults Christmas Dance, and much more.
The holiday season is also
about giving and the Town of
Kingsville has partnered with the
Windsor Star to showcase a 15
foot Book Tree that is located
in the lobby at the Recreation
Complex. The Community is
asked to donate new books to
the tree to help promote literacy
in Windsor and Essex County.
The books are taken to the
Windsor Star’s designated dropoff site following the holidays for
distribution. Each year thousands of books are collected,
attesting to the generous nature of this community.
Community Kale Bed at
Merli’s Coffee House & Eatery
The Festival runs
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Partnerships are a key tool in the provision of parks,
recreation, and cultural opportunities and are something
that is supported in Kingsville’s Strategic Plan. The Town
currently works with a number of partners to ensure its
residents have access to services that are beyond its
scope, including Southwest Ontario in Motion, Essex County
Library, ACCESS County Community Support Services, Essex
County Conservation Authority, Kingsville BIA, school boards,
advisory committees, countless volunteer groups (such as
minor sports associations, service clubs, horticultural society,
arts and culture development association, etc.), and private
businesses. These organizations offer a number of services,
facilities and activities to residents of Kingsville that enhance
their quality of life.
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Communities
in Bloom and Access
County Community
Support Service ran
Gardening 101 Contest
for ages 5+ on July 8th.
Mr. Chris Cullen and his
grandson Tristen (whose
mother works at ACCESS)
came out to show
children how to plant
sunflowers and explain how they provide food for birds in the
fall.
Prizes donated
by Kingsville Home
Hardware will be given
out on September 26th
at the library. Home
Hardware is a National
Sponsor for Communities
in Bloom.
Jennifer FranklinMcInnis, Deputy Chief Librarian/Manager of Branches was
also at the library. She was excited about the program and
hopes in the future we can do more of this kind of thing at
the libraries.
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Natural and Cultural
Heritage
Conservation
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The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary
The Jack Miner
Migratory Bird Sanctuary
was established in
1904 by Canada’s first
Conservationist, Jack
Miner. Located on 400
acres, the Sanctuary
property is a great working example of the past and the
present working together for mutual benefit. Specifically,
over 140 acres of the property are planted yearly with cash
crops that include the straw needed for bedding and the
cob corn needed to sustain the birds through the winter.
In 2012, the Sanctuary began a renewal which has
seen an update to the museum, the reopening of the
historic Jack Miner House, the establishment of a new
wetland and viewing area, development of 5km of trails,
presentation of summer programs and annual special
events. In 2016, riparian buffers will be established along the
new wetland through a
partnership with ERCA
who was successful in
obtaining a grant from
Environment Canada for
this purpose.
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Part of the renewal
was reaching out
to the community,
and in 2015,
there are over 15
individuals who
donate their time
regularly, with that
number doubling
for special
events. Excellent
partnerships have been developed with the Town of
Kingsville, Kingsville Horticultural Society, Kingsville BIA,
2nd Kingsville Scouts, Migration Festival Committee,
school boards and businesses locally, and with the Town
of Westlake Ohio and the Westlake Historical Society, in
addition to many US businesses.
The Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Jack
Miner Migratory Bird Foundation, an international foundation
established in 1931 in the USA and in 1936 in Canada and
funded through donations from private individuals and
corporations on both sides of the US/Canada border. It
also receives an annual grant from the Town of Kingsville
and summer student grants through Human Resources
Development Canada.
The rich history of Jack Miner is felt throughout the
Sanctuary property, from his home, built from brick and
tile fired from his own clay pits
in the Miner Brick & Tile factory
located on the property to his
gravesite located on site. Even
the bricks on the clubhouse bear
his signature and that of his son
Manly Miner.
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children, the community and visitors can visit without paying
admission, and where they can reach out and touch nature.
Through the historic banding net, house and museum and
programs the Sanctuary is able to bring history to life.
The Mettawas – Kingsville Train Station
Hiram Walker commissioned the eminent architect
Albert Kahn to design and build the Kingsville Train Station
to be ready when construction of the railway line reached
The Canadian government established National
Wildlife Week in Canada in 1947 in memory of Jack Miner
and to honour his contributions to conservation. A statue in
the centre of Kingsville shows Jack reaching upwards with a
goose at his feet, calling the birds home.
The Sanctuary is able to boast, from an account by
Jack Miner together with Manly Miner, the history of the
many bushes, shrubs and trees located in various locations
on the property. This guides the staff in their choice for
perennials and permanent shrubs and trees. In 2015, as part
of the 150 years of Jack Miner, the 2nd Kingsville Scouts will
plant 150 trees in a Jack Miner Memorial Forest, including
many which have been
donated in memoriam
and in honour of loved
ones who have passed.
The Foundation
continues to fulfill the
mission and legacy
of Jack Miner by
offering a place where
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Kingsville from Windsor in the spring of 1889. The interior
layout included gentlemen’s and ladies’ waiting room,
ticket office, freight and baggage areas, a covered porch,
port-cochere and a second floor bed chamber.
Built out of stone, and complete with a slate roof, the
station was equipped with gas heating and lighting brought
in from natural gas fields nearby. Fares, round trip to Windsor
were 80 cents for adults, 40 cents for children. Guests would
arrive by rail at the Kingsville Railroad Station, then ride three
blocks to the Mettawas Grounds in the Hotel’s carriages.
To serve his business interests, Hiram Walker built the
Lake Erie, Essex, and Detroit River Railway. For his recreation,
he built a Grand Resort on the main line of the Railway
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and on the shores of Lake Erie, The Mettawas Hotel which
opened in 1889. The elegant hotel no longer exists but
the memories do live on. Designed by Mason and Rice
Architects, The Mettawas Hotel cost $250,000 to build.
the Fenian Raids, Boer War, World War I, the Second World
War, Korean Conflict, Cold War, Peacekeeping, Bosnia and
Afghanistan.
The historic train station was restored by the Essex
Region Conservation Authority, as part of the Greenway
purchase in 1995. The external appearance was returned to
its 1889 appearance, and materials were carefully chosen to
match the original. After several years as a meeting space,
in October 2008, Janet and Anthony DelBrocco opened an
upscale but intimate restaurant, thus continuing the legacy
of great hospitality started by Hiram Walker over 100 years
ago.
The Kingsville Train Station also serves as a community
entrance for the Chrysler Canada Greenway.
Kingsville Historical Park
The Charlie Campbell Memorial Museum at Kingsville
Historical Park was established to promote interest,
education and research in the military and civic history of
the Kingsville-Essex County area.
The Museum building features exhibits and collections
related to the
United Empire
Loyalists as well
as artifacts and
information on
the involvement
of people of
Kingsville and
Essex County
in the defence
of Canada in
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Lakeside Park
Located on the shores of Lake Erie Lakeside Park is a
16 acre oasis. This
park features an
upper and lower
bowl complete
with walking
paths, playground
and spectacular
lakeside gardens
overseen by
the Kingsville
Horticultural Society. In addition in 2013 Kingsville officially
opened its second Bi National Peace Garden on the south
side of the park overlooking the north shore of Lake Erie.
Lakeside Park was opened in 1907, and the cobblestone
bridge over mill creek was built in 1928. In 2007 this park
received heritage designation. The Pavilion located at the
South end of the park is a popular destination for wedding
parties, with bookings being taken 2-3 years in advance.
The interior has large stone
pillars representing its most
remarkable architectural
feature. This park plays host to
the Annual Kingsville Fantasy
of Lights, and Kingsville Folk
Festival along with weekly
weddings, concerts, big screen
movies and the Kingsville Easter
Egg Hunt.
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Division St South Conservation District
The heart of Kingsville is on Division St South. This street
begins at the center of the downtown area of Kingsville
and extends to Lake Erie. This two-kilometer neighborhood
has been subject to the ebb-and-flow of the economic
variations of the last two centuries. This trend is visible in the
form and structure of its landscape. Through fires, economic
hardship, and revitalization, the community has evolved
into a diverse heterogeneous neighborhood. The area is
an example of a dynamic cultural landscape providing a
strong sense of place and continuing to act as a gathering
place for residents and visitors to the area.
Division St South represents over 15 decades of built
heritage in Kingsville. It is a unique street that tells the story
of Kingsville through the people who lived, built, and made
Kingsville the Town it is today.
The Kingsville Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee
has been working on a formal recognition of Division St
South as a Heritage Conservation District under Part V
of the Ontario Heritage Act. It has mapped attributes of
cultural heritage value, identified areas for improvement,
and will recommend conservation guidelines for Council’s
consideration in the near future.
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Kingsville Heritage Properties
1 Lakeside Park
315 Queen St
anniversary in 2007. With its view of Lake Erie, this spot
features a treed landscape, gardens and a meandering
creek. Lakeside Park has been a community gathering spot
for many social and cultural events.
Key Heritage Attributes:
• The “Pavilion” interior has large stone pillars supporting the roof with wooden brackets that curve up towards the roof; these pillars are the most remarkable feature architecturally
• The “Gateway” at the northeast entrance to the park features fieldstone pillars. It was designed by W.M. Webb, a well-known shopkeeper
2 John Malott House
189 Division St S
Opened in 1907, Lakeside Park is an 11.26 acre
green space on Lake Erie. In response to urbanization
during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the urban park
became the destination of people during their leisure hours.
Kingsville’s municipal Council purchased the land following
the development of New York City’s Central Park. The
cobblestone bridge over Mill Creek was built in 1928. Robert
Black, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Park Board, presented
the plan to the Mayor, Reeve and Councillors saying “it
will be 54 feet long with an 8 foot walk”. The local paper
reported that “although the cost was somewhat heavy,
it was an important point in the park and as the park was
one of the town’s best assets they believed that something
substantial with good appearance should be erected”.
The park received designation during its 100th
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The John Malott House is a 1½ -storey house
constructed in or about the year 1887 in the Folk Victorian
style. The historical value of this property lies in its association
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with a succession of prominent residents. John Malott was
the son of renowned great lakes captain and shipbuilder
William J. Malott. Malott operated a bakery, confectionary,
ice cream and oyster parlour.
Mr. Malott sold the home in 1898 to William A. Smith,
the former Reeve of Kingsville, who was the only lawyer in
Kingsville in the late 1800s. The building is one of the few
remaining examples of the vernacular architecture from a
significant period in the town’s development.
Key Heritage Attributes:
• Triangular pediments inset with applied scrollwork above the windows and front door
• Wood exterior doors featuring arched windows
• Maple plank flooring
• Curved staircase with turned balusters, scrollwork molding and cantilevered platform on the second
floor
3 Howard Scratch House
164 Division Street South
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The Howard Scratch House is a 2-storey house
constructed in 1886 in the Italianate style. The home’s
historical value lies in its association with Howard Scratch,
a local tinsmith and bicycle factory owner. The bicycle
business must have been good to Mr. Scratch because
when it came to building his home, he could afford such
exotic materials as cocobolo, a tropical hardwood used for
the interior staircase.
Key Heritage Attributes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asymmetrical design
Brick quoins on corners
Ornamental cross bracing in south facing gables
Roundel windows in each of three large gables
2-storey square bay on the front of the house
1-storey angular bay on the north side of the house
One-over-one double hung wood sash windows
Oak and cocobolo staircase
Cast iron registers throughout home
High baseboards
Pocket door on main floor
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6 Coda-Leach House
111 Division St S
• Exterior brick & a cut fieldstone foundation
• Large curved verandah with porch posts
• Wide brick trim in gable, segmental arches and cross gable
• Smooth-faced sills and an outside end chimney
7 James Workman King House
86 Division Street S
Alexander Wigle purchased this 1-acre property on
July 12, 1884 from James H. Smart, Kingsville’s first village
Reeve. The house, a 1 ½-storey Gothic Villa, was designed
by Thomas Jenner. In 1915, Alexander remodelled the
interior of the home, installing an English stairway, French
doors, and adding a large, curved verandah which
replaced the original square balcony and gave the home a
lovely Queen Anne appearance.
William Coda bought the property in 1942 and made
many careful renovations to the house by matching the
fieldstone foundation and outside brick to the original
home. Since 1969, the property has been home to scientist
Joseph Leach who was integral to the discovery of invasive
Zebra Mussels in Lake Erie, and his wife Mary, dietician,
restauranteur and school trustee. Mr. & Mrs. Leach have
always been avid gardeners and great supporters of
Kingsville’s community events.
Key Heritage Attributes:
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The James Workman King House is a 2-storey brick
house constructed in 1882 in the Italianate style. The home’s
historical value lies in its association with James Workman
King, the eldest son of Col. James King after whom the
village was named. J.W. King was a merchant, salesman,
bookkeeper and gentleman. He lived at the property until
his death in 1914. From 1942 to 1953, the building was the
Healey and Crawford Funeral Home. From 1956 to 1996, it
was the home and medical practice of Dr. Vytas Ablenas.
Key Heritage Attributes:
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• Symmetrical design, mid-hipped roof with front and back hipped dormers
• Two-storey angular bay window on south side
• Flattened arch two-over-two double-hung wood sash windows
• Vertical brick lintels over windows
• Projected eaves with ornate paired cornice brackets in wood
• Cut fieldstone foundation
• Three large brick chimneys north, south and west facing
9 C.J. Green House
78 Division St S
King, the man after whom the Town of Kingsville is named.
The home was designed by architect John A. Maycock,
who also designed the Church of the Epiphany on Main
Street West.
Key Heritage Attributes:
• Front gable with basket weave cross-bracing with decorative vergeboards
• 2-½ storey rectangular bay has a herringbone brick pattern that separates the second storey from the attic
• Cut fieldstone foundation
• Flattened arch transom windows with diamond-
patterned leaded glass
• Decorative cast brick plaques under sill of front arched window
• Large first storey arched window with rough and smooth stone surround and carved smooth limestone springs on either side at midpoint
10 Francis R. Webb House
59 Division St S
The Curtis J. Green House is a 2½-storey house
constructed in 1893 in the Queen Anne style. The home’s
historical value lies in its association with Curtis J. Green,
co-owner of Green & Son, a local lumber mill. It was the first
residence in Kingsville to boast indoor plumbing. Green’s
wife, Fannie S. King, was the granddaughter of Col. James
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11 Epworth Parsonage
The Francis R. Webb House is a 2-storey house
constructed in 1909 in the Colonial Revival style. The home’s
historical value lies partly in its association with Francis R.
Webb. In 1908, he purchased the clothing and furnishing
business of P.D. Hendershott in Kingsville and commissioned
the building of this home. Webb was a merchant of high
regard and a staunch Methodist. The house was sold to
Martha Grenville in 1913. Grenville had a large verandah
added to the rear of the house.
62 Division St S
Key Heritage Attributes:
• Cut fieldstone foundation constructed with Broadwell brick
• Hip roof, cross gable with eaves across
• Full width 1-storey porch with gable
• Doric columns
• Large front picture window which is hinged at the top so that it opens up and out from the bottom
• Wooden staircase with ornate newel post and bannister with spindles
• Decorative wood trim around windows and doors
The Epworth parsonage was constructed in 1908 in
the Colonial Revival Style on the same lot where the early
Methodist Church had been built in 1891. The decision
to purchase the land had been made by trustees of the
Church, many of whom were leading businessmen in the
community.
Bricks from the Miner Brickyard were used by the
Woodiwiss Brothers of Kingsville in the completion of the 2 ½
storey house.
Key Heritage Attributes:
•
•
•
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Hip roof and dormers
Doric columns and full width two storey porch that wraps around the northeastern portion of the building
Leaded beveled glass windows on south side façade, leaded cut glass windows on east façade, arched stained glass window on north façade with segmental 49
•
•
•
arch hood mold and sill in sandstone, and windows accented with smooth-faced lintel and sills
Main floor woodwork in quarter-sawn oak
Wood paneled doors
10’ high ceilings
12 D.W. Canfield - William H.
Hellems House
2 Mill St W
Key Heritage Attributes:
• Field stone foundation
• Steeply pitched centered gable roof with steep cross gables, typical of the Gothic Revival Style
• The original cladding is oak board and batten (extant) hidden under aluminum siding
• Original front door and hardware
• Original wood flooring, interior doors and woodwork, including newel post, balusters and handrail on staircase
15 Carnegie Library
28 Division St S
The D.W. Canfield-William H. Hellems House is a
1½-storey house constructed in 1872 in the Gothic Revival
style. The home’s historical value lies in its association with
David Wesley Canfield and William H. Hellems. Canfield
was a Kingsville Council member and had a number of
business interests including the Canfield Dock, Canfield
Factory, Canfield Freight Depot, Canfield Lumber Yard and
the Canfield Saw Mill. A newspaperman by trade, Hellems
purchased the Kingsville Reporter in 1893 and continued
as its publisher until 1935. William H. Hellems and his wife,
Victoria Buchner, purchased the home in 1900.
50
The Carnegie Library is a single-storey building in the
Art Deco style, which was built in 1914 and designated in
1988. It was renovated in 2011 with a sympathetic addition
that respects the original design. The adjoining treed
parkland was donated to the Town by Dr. Peter Grayson
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and is also protected by heritage designation. The building is
currently known as the Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre.
The Carnegie Library is the result of the generous
support of American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew
Carnegie (1835-1919). As a young man in Scotland,
Carnegie was forced to leave school to support his family.
Nonetheless, Carnegie valued education and believed
that it should be free. He began giving away the bulk of his
fortune in 1901, after selling his steel company, and retired as
the richest man in the world. In total, Carnegie donated $56
million to build 2,509 libraries throughout the world including
125 built in Canada. To qualify for a Carnegie grant,
communities had to provide land and set aside monies for
the library’s operation.
During the 1911 Municipal Election, Council
conducted a plebiscite of public opinion regarding $800
for the purchase of a library site and an annual operating
amount equal to 10% of construction costs. The vote was
overwhelmingly in favour by a margin of 235 to 34. The
Library Board contributed $2,000. Kingsville applied for and
won a $5,000 Carnegie Library grant. Windsor architects
Crane & Pennington designed the building. The Oxley
Brothers were the contractors and craftsmen, while the
Woodiwiss Brothers were masons for the project.
Urban Forestry
Key Architectural Features:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
52
Raised, cut-fieldstone foundation
Distinctive local Broadwell brick
Decorative brick headers with keystones
“Soldier courses” of brickwork (bricks laid vertically with
long narrow sides exposed)
Flat roof with stepped parapet
Tall windows
Wide steps leading to a large doorway
Steps featured prominently in most Carnegie libraries,
because Mr. Carnegie wanted to reinforce the idea that
library visitors were elevating themselves to learning
53
Residents of Kingsville benefit from the existence of
many mature trees located throughout the town, especially
on the municipal property of Lakeside Park. Many of these
trees are indigenous to the area and are resonant of the
Carolinian Forest. The general public enjoys this green
space, especially during the wedding season, and can also
relax by the water and watch the wild life.
The Town of Kingsville has a Memorial Tree
Program which has planted memorial trees throughout
the community. In addition Jack Miner Migratory Bird
Foundation also provides the opportunity to plant memorial
Trees.
In 2010, Jamieson Laboratories made a $350,000,
10-year commitment to the Essex Region Conservation
Foundation to have the Essex Region Conservation Authority
naturalize this historic landscape. The woodlot has begun
to grow and mature with the addition of adding 72,000
trees to our local environment. It includes the planting of
over 20 different native varieties of trees and bushes in the
Cedar Creek watershed in Kingsville, including Burr Oak,
Red Maple, and Silky Dogwood. This planting adds to the
remnants of the Carolinian woodland that remains on this
121-acre agricultural land and is the largest single restoration
project undertaken by the Essex Region Conservation
Authority.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority was
established in 1973 to manage the natural resources of the
Essex Region in partnership with our member municipalities
and the Province of Ontario. At the Civic Centre in Essex,
ERCA has designated an area for Natural Regeneration,
which includes many plants, and trees providing a natural
habitat for many types of animals.
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55
2021 Division Road North
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9
(519) 733-2305
www.kingsville.ca
kingsvilleworks@kingsville.ca
COMMEMORATIVE TREE PROGRAM
Application Form
Purchaser Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Commemorative message on 6 inch wide by 4 inch high engraved bronze plaque:
Location of Tree Planting:
 Lakeside Park
 Cedar Island Park
 Prince Albert Street North Park
 Remark Park
 Ridgeview Park
 OTHER:
*Type of Tree is subject to availability in conjunction with the annual tree planting program*
Program Fee:
Requestor’s Signature
56
$350.00
 Paid (CTREE)
Date
57
Landscaped
Areas
Downtown Kingsville, Cottam and Ruthven is made
resplendent during the summer season by an artful display
of hanging baskets and planters filled with an array
of brightly coloured annuals. The Horticultural Society
maintains a number of flower beds throughout Kingsville,
Cottam, and Ruthven, providing an excellent variety of
colour, and welcome splashes of mixed floral arrays that
welcome residents and visitors to the area. In addition
all of the Welcome sign boards also feature an array of
landscape design. In addition to efforts by the BIA and the
Town of Kingsville local merchants are diligent about the
appearance of their business and work to bring additional
colour and charm to the area.
ACCESS hosts a formidable community garden
featuring a selection of various vegetables. These are
provided to various programs and community groups.
Currently members of the Community in Bloom committee
are working with Home Hardware to encourage children
to grow their own sun flowers. This is learning and sharing
experience for the children and for many their first foray into
landscape and horticulture.
Students and Teachers at Kingsville Public School
partnered with ACCESS to create a wheel chair accessible
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garden to allow students and parents of all abilities to share
in the gardening experience.
surrounding flower beds will feature
White Geraniums and White Lilacs
all of which were choices of Jack
Miner himself. Once finished this
will provide a standing tribute to
Jack Miner and the Jack Miner
Migratory Bird Foundation and the
Town of Kingsville.
In addition the Town of Kingsville works to ensure that
all gateways to the community are properly landscaped
and provide visitors with a welcoming experience. Examples
include the Dock Flower Beds located at the Kingsville
Dock, which is the entry way for individuals embarking
and disembarking from the Pelee Island Ferry. Lakeside
Park in addition to its many beautiful flower beds also has
a plethora of groomed trails running through the park
enabling visitors the opportunity to meander through the
area at their leisure. In 2015 with the
assistance of a Federal Heritage
Grant work will begin in earnest
to update the Jack Miner Statue
located at the Kingsville O.P.P
station. The statue along with
the surrounding flower beds will
be overhauled and updated to
provide visitors with a spectacular
opportunity to see and learn more
about Jack Miner. This upgrade is
taking place in 2015, marking the
150 birthday of Jack Miner, and the
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Floral Displays
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Gardens and Lakeside Park 2015
As one passes through the beautiful old stone pillars,
overhead they are greeted by a Welcome. It is at this time
they start their journey of stepping back in time. The time
we are speaking of
is 1907, the year the
Town Council of the
day purchases and
officially designates
this parcel of land “A
Park for the Citizens
of Kingsville.” We
have a Crown Jewel,
Lakeside Park.
Lakeside offers a wealth of historic characteristics
not found in many other parks. Now let us bring you to the
present. Lakeside has many century old native and non
native stately trees such as White Oak and Silver Maple. Mill
Creek also meanders through the lower section of Lakeside
Park. As it flows downstream, it passes under the Victorian
Bridge and empties its waters into Lake Erie. Lakeside
Park offers hills and valleys, many, many pathways, large
play area, a volleyball court, year round heated and air
conditioned pavillion, and an open seasonal pavillion. All of
these aspects offer our children and citizens many hours of
pleasure and relaxation to use at their leisure.
64
As we continue
our journey, we
walk on the path
parallel to Division
Street South. We
come to our first
beautiful flower
bed. Our path
leads us downward
to the lower
section of Lakeside
Park, south along
Mill Creek. On both
sides of Mill Creek
are Riparian Buffers.
On the east bank
there is a planting of
Native Wildflowers,
and on the west
bank is a planting
of Native shrubs.
These Riparian Buffers
were accomplished
by E.R.C.A., Friends
of Mill and Wigle
watershed, assisted
by some students,
and environmentally
minded citizens. We
continue our journey
and come to the
Victorian Bridge.
Crossing the bridge
we stop on the west
bank of Mill Creek, left and right is known as “the hill flower
beds.” There are massive plantings of hostas and shady
plants, including shade loving annuals for colour. Ahead is
an upward path leading to the upper section of Lakeside
Park, with flower beds on both sides of this pathway.
At the top of this path brings us onto the main parking
driveway. Looking to the right is a butterfly garden to attract
butterflies and other pollinators. Beyond this flower bed
is a very large Century Farm rock donated to us by the
John Repko family. As one looks to the east of the Butterfly
bed are memorial plantings of trees and shrubs planted
and maintained by dedicated volunteers of the Kingsville
Horticultural Society. Some plants are native. Some are not.
We have a Blue Ash, Columnar White Oak, Serviceberry,
65
Curly Willow,
Japanese Red
Maple, and
Tricolour Beech.
Looking again
beyond of the
Butterfly bed,
north is a 20 year
old Native Tulip
tree. This tree
was planted
to recognize
the 1907 Town
Council for
having the
foresight in
purchasing and
safeguarding
Lakeside Park
for us and future
generations to
enjoy!
Now looking
beyond the Tulip tree, is a stately Native Silver Maple which
is well over 125 years old. This tree was planted for the brave
young men that went to war, some of whom made the
supreme sacrifice to give us the freedom that we take for
granted and enjoy
today! This tree
was planted by
the Women of the
Patriot League of
War of 1914-1918.
We humbly pay
honour to these
brave soldiers and
women (LEST WE
66
FORGET) in the form
annual plantings
and maintenance
by dedicated
volunteers. A
small token of
appreciation.
Coming back
to the butterfly bed
and looking west,
is a rectangular flower bed known as the memorial bed, it
is filled with shrubs, perennials, annuals and three memorial
trees, a Scarlet Magnolia, Eastern Red Bud, and Ornamental
Callery Pear. These where planted for past members. Across
this driveway and parallel to the memorial bed, is another
lovely flowerbed that is on the north east side of the year
round pavillion. The bed is filled with shrubs, perennials,
grasses, and annuals for colour. As we walk southeast
around the pavillion, the flower bed continues and is
shaded by a Linden tree and the plantings are hostas and
shade shrubs. This bed ends at a wrought iron fence raised
patio.
Coming back and walking south down a split set of
twin concrete steps that lead down a gentle slope, brings
us to a path that leads north east to the left, with flower
beds on both sides and leading to the Victorian bridge.
Back to the twin
concrete steps
and to the right,
is a flower bed
guarded by large
boulders, this is
our 1812 Peace
Garden. The bed
is planted with
trees, shrubs and
perennials. Most
67
of the bed has 6
hours of shade.
The remainder is
planted with shade
loving plants such
as hostas and
annuals. This garden
is enhanced by our
Guardian Angel.
This garden was
constructed and
planted in 1912 with the cooperative efforts of Staff of Park
and Recreation, Board of Works, some concerned citizens,
and the Kingsville Horticultural Society. It was dedicated in
late August of 1912 during the Tall Ship Festival. Dedicated
volunteers of the Kingsville Horticultural Society maintain the
bed.
As we continue west on the path, we come to a
gazebo. The entrance is protected by two Ornamental
Weeping White Mulberry trees. They stand as sentries.
Around this charming flowerbed are shrubs and annuals for
welcome of colour. As we turn around and walk back up
the path towards the Peace Garden, looking south, we see
the wave action of serene Lake Erie and in the distance we
are able to see the tree outline of Pelee Island.
Now turning around and heading up the sloping path leads
us under
a white
pergola.
Each post
has vines
of different
textures and
colours. Now
standing
under this
pergola and
looking east
68
at the top is the pavillion on the south side with its flowerbed
leading up to the wrought iron fenced patio with boulders,
hydrangeas, hostas and shade adoring annuals for colour to
soften the area.
Again facing south and walking from under the white
pergola on
the path, we
come to the
front of the
pavilion of
315 Queen
Street South.
On both
sides of the
pavilion are
two mulched
flowerbeds
that grace the
front entrance with an assortment of shade loving plants
of low maintenance. As we turn around and face west on
the concrete walk we encounter two wrought iron planters
filled with white petunias, and white flowers of diamond
frost with green foliage, and graced with three dusty millers
in the centre as standing on guard. These colours were
chosen to replicate the colours of our flora emblem, the
native flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), in celebration
of our 60th
Anniversary of
the Kingsville
Horticultural
Society. Our
society dates
back to 1912,
fell by the
wayside during
the War Years,
and was reestablished
69
Helping the Environment”!
again in 1955
and has been
very involved
in the areas
of Cottam,
Kingsville, and
Ruthven ever
since. Our motto
is “Horticultural
Since 1912,
Beautify Our
Town, and
Looking beyond the two planters are two flowerbeds
of shrubs, perennials, and annual colours. As visitors walk
up this concrete walk to get the front doors of Lakeside
Park Pavilion, they are greeted by these two attractive and
uniform flowerbeds. Coming back to the gravel pathway
and walking north, we see two more of our wrought iron
planters again planted in white, green and silver. On the
right we pass Ladies’, Men’s and Handicap washrooms that
very clean and tidy. Directly behind the washrooms there
is a volleyball court including a permanent net in place.
Also there is a dog waste free bag station for dog owners.
All dogs must be on a leash and in control, due to small
children at play in the park. Our next point of interest is the
children’s massive
play equipment
and area, and
let us tell you, it
does not matter
the time of day,
this play area is
always in use by
mothers, fathers
and, of course, the
children. Much,
much happiness
70
and laughter
to be heard.
As we leave
the play area
walking along
the pathway we
come to a giant
White Oak which
is more then a
hundred years
old and very
doing well.
The pathway makes a curve to the right and we
come to several memorial trees that are dedicated to
citizen’s friends or relatives. There is a memorial tree planted
for Past Councillor Mr Martin Wingerden. The pathway
gracefully makes several curves to the left and right that foot
pedestrians and handicap persons are able to reach the
lower area of Lakeside Park. Reaching Mill Creek again and
crossing the bridge and turning left, the pathway follows a
line of some Native trees and now the path gradually rises
to bring to the sidewalk on Queen Street, and now we walk
northeast. We come to a curve to the sidewalk and the
Street becomes Herrington Street. As we walk 500 feet more
we come upon a newly planted Native Kentucky Coffee
Tree which has been planted for our first Communities
in Bloom, with the following inscription “planted by
Communities in
Bloom Committee
2015 Cottam
Kingsville Ruthven.”
As we
walk about 100
feet, we come
to a Columnar
White Oak that
was planted
71
by the Kingsville
Horticultural Society
and dedicated
for long time Life
Members of our
Society, for Mrs.
Agnes, and Mr.
Walter Riddiford to
recognize service
in Horticulture and
for our Society! We
continue to walk along this sidewalk heading east and
come upon three European Hornbeams. Originally we had
seven along this space. Four had to be relocated to new
places in the park. This move was necessitated by the Town
to put in place a small parking lot. These Hornbeams were
all planted for the early years of the Society’s Past Presidents,
for their tireless volunteering of many, many countless hours
beautification, for the Town and our Society!
Horticultural Societies past and present members, and in the
name of friendship, kindness, and beauty!
We continue along this direction and the sidewalk
takes a gradual incline. Up ahead we come to the same
beautiful old stone pillars which started our excursion, and
now ends our full circle journey of Kingsville Lakeside Park
and its peaceful, beautiful park and our gardens.
In closing this chapter and our journey of Kingsville’s
Lakeside Park, and the Gardens, we wish to remind our
citizens, visitors, and future generations, although we love
this beauty beyond
description, we do
this for you, and
all flowerbeds in
Lakeside Park, Cottam,
Kingsville, and Ruthven
are planted and
maintained by the
dedicated volunteers
of the Kingsville
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73
Turf and
Groundcovers
The Town of Kingsville has a total of 45.7 hectares of
park space composed of both active and passive parks.
Kingsville, Cottam and Ruthven each have access to at
least one space. The Town also boasts a number of public
and private open spaces, parks, trails and golf courses. The
Town parks are well maintained and representative of a
mid-size Ontario Community. It is important to the Town of
Kingsville presently and for long term planning purposes that
these parks are vibrant places and spaces. The town has
ongoing maintenance programs for all parks, which include
watering flowers downtown, cutting the grass, picking up
garbage, weed whipping and ongoing turf maintenance.
Businesses and private residents follow water conservation
guidelines established by the Union Water system.
Kingsville has 46.3
kilometres of sidewalks,
multipurpose and
granular trails, in
addition to the
Chrysler Canada
Greenway which
transects the town
and represents 15 kilometres of trail. The Trail system in
Kingsville offers opportunities to promote sustainability
through the protection of areas of environmental interest
and significance, encourages physical activity and
promotes active transportation opportunities. In June of
2015 the Mayors of all Essex County Communities including
Kingsville signed the CWATS charter which acknowledges
each municipalities commitment to a County Wide Active
Transportation System. Through the support of active
transportation they each acknowledged that we all play
a leadership role in creating a more vibrant and liveable
county of Essex.
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Kingsville has 22
soccer fields with 16
in Kingsville and 6 in
Cottam at Ridgeview
Park. Additionally
the Town has 12
Baseball Diamonds
which are continually
upgraded and
maintained, 11
playgrounds which
receive monthly playground inspections, 1 Splash pad in
Cottam, 1 skate park in Kingsville, 5 Hard Surfaces Tennis/
Pickleball courts, 5 municipal beaches and 1 Marina. These
facilities are under the stewardship of the Town of Kingsville’s
Facility Manager and are all maintained on a regular basis,
with new amenities such as new washrooms at both the
Splash Pad, and Cedar Island being installed in 2015. Beach
maintenance is done on a weekly basis, along with shoreline
maintenance to combat the spread of Phragmites and
other invasive species, which erode the valuable waterfront
park land.
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Highlights
77
Arena/sports complex
Kingsville Parks and
Recreation Department
is responsible for over 45
hectares of parkland that
is available to guests and
residents. The Kingsville
Recreation complex on
Jasperson Lane is home
to the Ice Rink used year
round for Hockey and Lacrosse, 4 multipurpose rooms, and
7 dressing rooms. The fields adjacent to the Arena occupy
48.5 acres and host 8 baseball Diamonds, 16 soccer fields,
4 tennis/pickleball courts, and 2 playgrounds. In Cottam
Ridgeview Park have a new Splash Park, Playground, 6
Soccer Fields, and 4 Baseball Diamonds. The Kingsville
Sports Complex forms the nucleus for many of the
community events, including Canada Day Celebrations,
Kingsville Community Festival and World’s Finest Shows
Midway, Rusty Blades Hockey Tournament, and in 2016
OFSSAA soccer.
During the fall and winter months Kingsville hosts
numerous hockey leagues and ice skating groups including
Kingsville Minor Hockey,
Erie North Shore Minor
Hockey, Greater
Metro Toronto Hockey
League Junior A, Skate
Kingsville, and Precision
Skating.
Located on
the shores of Lake
78
Erie Lakeside Park is a
16 acre oasis. This park
features an upper and
lower bowl complete
with walking paths,
playground and
spectacular lakeside
gardens overseen by the
Kingsville Horticultural
Society. In addition
in 2013 Kingsville officially opened it’s second Bi National
Peace Garden on the south side of the park overlooking
the north shore of Lake Erie. Lakeside Park was opened in
1907, and the cobblestone bridge over mill creek was built
in 1928. In 2007 this park received heritage designation. The
Pavilion located at the South end of the park is a popular
destination for wedding parties, with bookings being taken
2-3 years in advance. The interior has large stone pillars
representing it’s most remarkable architectural feature.
Wineries
In the 19th century,
there were over 40
cottage wineries
located throughout
Essex County and Pelee
Island. The area has long
been ideal for growing
grapes as it shares
the same latitude as
California and Italy, and
in 2015 there are seventeen wineries in Essex County and
Pelee Island, including three award-winning wineries located
in the Town of Kingsville!
79
Trails
The Chrysler Canada Greenway is one of Canada’s
most beautiful trails for hiking, biking, running, birding and
cross country skiing, and in some areas, horseback riding.
For 50km it stretches across Essex County and through
Kingsville, from the McCain Side Road, past the beautifully
restored Kingsville Train Station (Mettawas restaurant) to
Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens.
The Greenway joins 25 otherwise separate natural
areas, including regional environmentally significant areas
and provincial areas of natural, cultural and scientific
interests as well as three watersheds. Along the way, you’ll
see rich agricultural lands, historically and architecturally
significant structures, award winning wineries and many
other features that make the Essex Region unique.
The Jack Miner Nature Walk
invites visitors to spend time in some
of the oldest woods in the area.
In cooperation with ERCA, one
can walk and picnic in the woods
beside a Pawpaw or Tulip tree,
under the shade canopy of oaks,
maples and even a few elms. The trail
is 1-5km in length.
all the way to Cedar Beach
takes about one hour and
affords many spectacular
views of wetlands, forests and
wildlife along the way.
Migration Hall
Few small towns can
boast the caliber of theatre and presentation featured
at Migration Hall in Kingsville. From musicals to comedies
and drama to musical
performances by
the likes of John
McDermott and Rita
McNeil, Migration Hall
is the centre for musical
greatness in town.
Future Goals
• Implementation of the Municipal Cultural Master plan
• Continued implementation of CWATS
• Increased signage to areas of interest
Cedar Beach
A popular sandy spot for
swimming, sunbathing and relaxing
and located on Lake Erie at the mouth of Cedar Creek,
Cedar Beach is also enjoyed by many fishermen. A leisurely
canoe or kayak trip from Cedar Creek Conservation Area
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Future Goals
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The Town of Kingsville is a vibrant growing municipality,
that is a favourite of retirees coming from the GTA and
looking for value priced housing and an engaging
community. Municipally the Town
of Kingsville is ready to grow and
expand to meet the needs of these
new residents through expanded
programing, expanded facilities,
and development of new facilities.
The BIA also recognizes the need
to move forward while at the same
time maintaining the characteristic
charm that brings many new
residents to the area.
The Kingsville BIA (Business
Improvement Association) is
currently fundraising to bring a
Victorian Clock to what is locally
known as the Four Corners (the
intersection of Main and Division
streets). The 17 foot clock will be tall
and elegant, welcoming people to
Kingsville. A round clock face with
black and gold ornamentation will
grace each of the timepiece’s four
sides. Traditional hands will tell the
time. The dials will be illuminated
at night. A garden will be planted
around the clock tower’s base,
new trees planted and benches will
be installed at the Four Corners so
people can rest, chat and take in
the scenery.
Each component will be completed
in phases. Through the Kingsville
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BIA’s fundraising efforts, the aim is to have the clock tower
in place by spring, 2016. The major funds for this project
will come for the BIA’s 3 annual volunteer-run fundraising
Fashion Shows and community fundraising efforts. Ever since
the BIA’s inaugural fashion show nine years ago, its members
have ensured the monies go back to the community.
Donations go to Breast Cancer Awareness programs, a
digital mammography machine for the Leamington District
Memorial Hospital, the Women’s Health Centre and other
local beautification initiatives including winter decorations.
The events also give local businesses the opportunity
to come together for worthy projects. Local restaurants
contribute their culinary skills to the hors d’oeuvres menu,
businesses donate raffle and door prizes and the models are
Kingsville residents. The shows also highlight what Kingsville
has to offer.
The Parks
and recreation
department
with input from
various user
groups, and the
Older Adults and
Parks Recreation
Arts and Culture
Committee
is currently
engaged in a
plan to redevelop
the Lions Hall
outdoor site. This
project down in
part with the Lions
will provide 12
outdoor pickleball
courts to meet the needs of the over 100 Kingsville Pickle
Ball members, a basketball courts, Bocce Court, and shelter
areas. In addition green space is also being worked into
the plan to allow for play and relaxation areas for both user
groups and the children involved in the ACCESS programs.
The Mettawas Property is a large scale redevelopment
that is currently in the early stages. This site, once owned
and home to the Mettawas Casino, is slated for a major
recreational development site to house a splash park,
beach area, pavilion, playground, board walk and much
more. This is a prime beach front area that is highly desirable
for this purpose. When the public input was sought for the
Recreation Master Plan Beach Front and public access to
Beaches was the top priority. With this site development
one of the Towns most desirable areas will be converted
to a family friendly environmentally sustainable location for
residents to utilize for years to come.
18 Ft
9 Ft
F
23 Ft
F
F
75
Parking
Spaces
94'
Basketball
Court
50'
15'
10'
15'
5'
10'
7'
7'
10'
10'
120'
5'
7'
7'
10'
80'
13' 13' 13' 13'
Bocce Ball
Green
Space
10'
10'
5'
Pickle Ball
16'
20'
10'
Proposed Driveway
/Access Way
180'
20'
10'
10'
5'
Green
Space
Lions Hall
Memorial
Tress
0 20 40 Feet
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