Sudbury resident Lily Fielding has donated 300 acres of land to Kivi Park, which will make it the city's largest park - 23 times larger than Bell Park.
Kivi Park is located on the site of the former Long Lake Public School and provides public access to crown land leading to three lakes – Crowley Lake, Linton Lake and Camp Lake – and provides a city connection to Killarney Provincial Park.
The project will also see a dramatic expansion to the existing sports facilities.
Fielding holds the area close to her heart.
“I have lived in Long Lake my entire life,” said Fielding.
“I grew up and went to school here, married my husband Cliff at the Voima Hall and together we raised our children in the community. I wanted to do something special in my 100th year, to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”
Fielding is donating the park in memory of her parents Susanna and John Kivi and the many more Finnish immigrants who settled in the area and helped shape Sudbury.
“The community response to Kivi Park and its long term strategy has been wonderful,” said Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh.
“Lily Fielding was inspired by the vision of businessman William F. Bell in the creation of Bell Park, the originators of Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, founding members of the Walden Cross Country Ski Club (WCCS), the dedicated board of Rainbow Routes, and Fielding Memorial Park, which was founded by her husband, Cliff along with his brothers and sister. Mrs. Fielding wanted to help create another addition to our entire region in the spirit of our great community assets that have a positive legacy impact for generations to come.”
Thanks to this donation, Kivi Park will increase the number of available sports fields in the City of Greater Sudbury, and will lead to the creation of additional recreational activities.
"I would like to thank Mrs. Lily Fielding for the generous contribution of more than $1 million to the creation of Kivi Park in the City of Greater Sudbury," said Mayor Brian Bigger.
"It will continue to further our community's status as a green city and outdoor recreational hub and will be a wonderful active space for our citizens and visitors to the entire region."
Melissa Sheridan, president of CRCS Recreation and who helped lead the recent creation of the DJ Hancock Memorial Park, said the goal with the additional space is to create the best play environment for children in all of Northern Ontario.
It will be done by, "integrating best in class play structures and active facilities with cutting edge child development design," said Sheridan.
"This play space will be unique from any others in the region. The design features nature inspired play equipment to encourage active and imaginative play by children of all ages and abilities.”
The community is invited to come and celebrate a Summer Family Fun Day at Kivi Park on Aug. 16, from 5 p.m. - 7:30. p.m. In the event of rain, the festivities will be pushed to Aug. 17.
To keep up with construction and development at Kivi Park, check them out on Facebook or www.kivipark.com.
