Press Release June 26, 2026 | Jerry Park Reopening

June 26, 2026, Lansdowne, ON – Families, children, Council members, staff, community members, and project partners gathered today to celebrate the grand reopening of Jerry Park, marking the completion of exciting upgrades that include new accessible and inclusive playground equipment designed to welcome children of all abilities.

The celebration brought the community together to recognize the importance of creating safe, welcoming spaces where residents can connect, play, and enjoy the outdoors. The event featured remarks from Mayor Smith Gatcke and Councillor Kelman (a member of the Recreation Working Group), as well as the official ribbon-cutting to mark the reopening of the enhanced park space.

Mayor Smith-Gatcke recognized the significance of the reopening during Recreation and Parks Month, highlighting the important role community spaces play in supporting active lifestyles, connection, and the quality of life for residents.

“Parks are at the heart of our communities. They provide places where families gather, children explore, and neighbours connect,” said Mayor Smith-Gatcke. We thank the companies, New World Park Solutions, Park N Water  and Mark Grier who helped bring these improvements to life through the new playground equipment and landscaping enhancements.”
Councillor Kelman spoke about the important role play has in childhood development and the value of ensuring all children have opportunities to participate.

“Play is an essential part of how children learn, grow, build confidence, and develop important social and physical skills,” said Councillor Kelman. “The thoughtful design of this playground reflects a commitment to creating opportunities for children with a range of abilities to play together and enjoy the park experience.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, families were invited to stay and enjoy an afternoon of play, exploring the new playground features and celebrating the reopening of the park playground.