The Johansson Bar is located on Glendale Avenue by
the entrance to the Sobey’s parking lot. The tool is an example of the type of
devices needed to build parts of the old Welland
canal(s) and the Queenston Monument in Niagara
Falls. The bar was used to lift and lower the large
slabs of stone used in the building of each lock’s walls (there was even a
local settlement named Slabtown). It was used sometime between 1842 and 1845
and has been on display since 1983 after the Walker Brothers Quarries Ltd.
donated the bar to the Merritton Community.
The St.Catharines’ Green Committee's
has a plan for the Bar to be moved closer to the sidewalk near Glendale Avenue (the first phase of the
project). This phase includes moving the Bar, constructing a parkette where the
Bar will be displayed along with stone bench seating; deciduous
and coniferous trees; and numerous shrubs and perennials. Additionally the
previous area where the Bar was
located (currently gravel parking to the west of Sobey’s patron parking lot)
will be restored to a park-like setting with trees and grass.
The second phase of the project
(dependant on fundraising but with a desired completion date within the next
year or two) would involve constructing a walkway in the
middle of the park running north to south in the direction of the old canal Lock 14 (which is buried underneath the park).
The last phase of the project (again dependant on fundraising but with a desired completion date within the
next year or two) is greatly advocated for by Regional Councillor
Bruce Timms and canal advocate Rene Ressler. This phase involves upgrading the site
west of the Sobeys building using the model of what has been done at Thorold’s
Beaverdams Park. This phase basically means clearing and excavating 18 to 24
inches from the top layer of stone and leaving
grass cover as the thing to maintain in the area. Then having a sign board
placed close to Sobey’s driveway and a smart phone App explaining the Lock
including the larger context of the Lybster Mill, The Keg and Mountain Locks
Park.
It must be reiterated, that
the project will only be completed with financial contributions from the community
at large (in partnership with the St.Catharines’ Green Committee). The cost of
the project is approximately $77,500. So far
the Green Committee has committed $30,493 to the project and the St.Catharines
Horticultural Society has contributed $2,000 (with plans to contribute more
after their annual plant sale next month at Bill Burgoyne arena - so please
support them!) Should anyone else wish to contribute you can contact Green Committee
Co-Chair Dave Haywood at: davehaywood@merritton.com
or Kristen Sullivan, Project & Development Planner - City of St.
Catharines’ Recreation & Community Services, at 905-688-5601 (ext. 3145) or
email her at ksullivan@stcatharines.ca.
The Green Committee would be grateful
if people considered the following individual items for sponsorship:
Engraved Pavers: $250 (Estimate - needs to be
confirmed selection of pavers)
Trees (with plaque): $400
Bench (with plaque):
$1,750 (As seen at the Old Courthouse, located beside Market Square)
ADDITIONAL
Notes:
• Monetary donations over $250 in
either goods, labour or funds will be recognized
on a donor plaque or the individual item (i.e. tree, bench, etc.)
• Individuals or businesses who wish to
make monetary contributions may direct
their donations to the "City of St.
Catharines", and indicate on the Memo line "Johansson
Parkette". Please direct cheques to P.O. Box 3012,
20
Geneva St. St Catharines, Ontario, L2R7C2, Attn: Green Committee.
• Tax receipts will be issued.
For
further information, please contact: Kristen Sullivan
Article by:
David Haywood, Co-Chair -St.Catharines Green Committee
