The Thornton Park improvements are a big hit, especially the splash pad on these hot days. Henleigh, Genevieve and her mom Lindsey, and Laura and her daughter Aviana told WCMY News this morning how they feel about them.
Thornton Park also has new playground equipment and new landscaping. The park was open already, but Ottawa city officials had a ribbon cutting for it today. City Commissioner Marla Pearson says more work is coming. The pickle ball courts and tennis courts need to be redone. And there’ll be a disc golf course.
Edmund Thornton was Ottawa Silica’s president in 1966 when his family created the then privately run park in an empty field on Ottawa’s west side. He had a big rock from one of the sand quarries placed there. It remains as reminder of the park’s origins. The Thornton Foundation gave the park to the city in 2015. Edmund’s daughter Taylor Thornton did the ribbon cutting honor.
Some of the park work is being paid for with a state grant. A city consultant held a meeting in the park in 2019 to get input on what should be done there.
Thornton Park’s new splash pad is a popular place for children on these hot days. New playground equipment is nearby.
Taylor Thornton runs through the newly installed splash pad at the park her family created in 1966. The Thornton Foundation gave the park to the city in 2015.
The Thornton Park turtle was on its back last year as the city worked out how to finish the work in the park.
The public looks over Thornton Park improvement options at a meeting in the park in 2019.