A new look for The Niagara Parks Commission in 2011
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2011
A new look for The Niagara Parks Commission in 2011
Beautification work, new-look police unit highlight
the opening of the 2011 tourist season
Niagara Falls, ON – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) is kicking off an exciting 2011 tourism season with a fresh look for its properties and police service.
“We are highlighting the beauty and grandeur of Niagara Parks and the Falls this year,” said Fay Booker, Chair of The Niagara Parks Commission. “Our parks, attractions and gardens are welcoming places, and we have been working hard to beautify them further. A visit to the Niagara Parks is more than just a tourist stop. It’s an experience.”
The re-beautification of Queen Victoria Park includes: the removal of fences between the Falls Parking Lot and land next to Canadian Niagara Power, providing a new family picnic area; the installation of new and fully restored benches throughout the Park; maintenance to NPC fountains, parapet wall and light poles and a general spring clean up in the gardens to ensure the Park will be visually pleasing to all visitors this year. NPC has also restored the pedestrian crosswalk at the Falls Parking Lot and the Niagara Parkway to provide visitors with different options to arrive at the Falls.
New beautification work to take place this season includes: new floral displays at Table Rock in an effort to restore the “Park” within the Park, an accessible ramp access to the School of Horticulture, restoration of the Niagara Glen, an expanded chef’s garden at Queenston Heights Restaurant, new floral bedding shows at Queenston Park with clean up and repairs to the pavilions and bandshell and spruced up benches, tables and waste cans along the North and South boulevards.
“The Niagara Parks have been an institution in Ontario for generations,” said Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Tourism and Culture. “Right here is the preservation of our history, the conservation of precious green space and enough sights to inspire you for a lifetime.”
For the first time in its 124-year history and in preparation for the grand 125th celebration in 2012, the Niagara Parks Police will have its own flag, to go along with new ceremonial uniforms and new striping on Parks Police vehicles to better identify them as NPC police units. The service is also to dedicate a new honour guard and a K-9 unit into service and details will be announced asking the public to help name the new NPC K-9 member.
As part of this opening weekend, the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens will host its first-ever perennial plant sale on Saturday, April 30 and on May 1 the Niagara Parkway will be closed to cars and buses between Clifton Hill and Murray Street for the first traffic free Sunday. Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., pedestrians will be able to enjoy quiet and leisurely strolls through the gardens of Queen Victoria Park.
Created in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Agency of the Government of Ontario. It is NPC’s mission to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while remaining financially self-sufficient.
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For more details, please visit www.niagaraparks.com or contact:
Tony Baldinelli, Communications Manager
tbaldinelli@niagarparks.com
(905) 371-0837