Earl Baker Park Multi-Use Pad Project

Let’s continue to make the Municipality of South Dundas the best place to live! The Morrisburg Waterfront Committee envisions a multi-use recreation pad in Earl Baker Park. This will be an innovative multi-use pad that will foster connection, engagement, and unforgettable experiences for generations to come. It will also provide our community with a wide variety of different sports using the same space, such as basketball, hockey, and pickleball. The proposed multi-use pad would offer a versatile and inclusive environment for players of all skill levels and ages. This includes community recreation, coaching clinics, recreational leagues, and tournaments for hockey, basketball, pickleball and much more.

Multi-use sports pads help communities address the lack of play opportunities for older youth that no longer play on playgrounds and adults looking for drop-in and pickup sports. The multi-use pad would be situated in proximity to the current playground and splash pad, making it accessible to parents watching their children of various ages.
The South Dundas Parks and Recreation Master Plan, completed in 2020, recommends the establishment of a multi-use pad at Earl Baker Park for basketball, ball hockey, tennis, pickleball and outdoor skating. As one of the Municipality’s greatest natural assets, the Morrisburg Waterfront Park and Earl Baker Park strengthen opportunities for recreational activities and community-led events. The South Dundas Parks and Recreation Master Plan also speaks to improving when it comes to accessibility enhancements. Therefore, the new multi-use pad will be designed to be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to minimize physical barriers for persons with disabilities.

The Morrisburg Waterfront Park and Earl Baker Park provide an important opportunity for the residents of South Dundas, through an active living perspective and an economic development standpoint. Some of the benefits to residents provided through upgrading Earl Baker Park include an improved mental and physical wellbeing, enhanced social connection, strengthened family ties and creating welcoming places that promote inclusion. Economic benefits through this project will see an ability to attract new residents and businesses to South Dundas as the Morrisburg Waterfront Park and Earl Baker Park sees thousands of visitors each year.

The Morrisburg Waterfront Committee is exploring public funding opportunities for the Earl Baker Park Multi-Use Pad project. Sponsorship opportunities and donations from residents and businesses will substantially fund the project.

There are several ways to contribute:

1. Financial Contribution: Generous donations will directly support the implementation and sustainability of our project. Even a small contribution can make a significant difference in our ability to reach our goals.

Financial contributions can be brought to the South Dundas Municipal Office. Kindly fill out the Municipal Donation Form. 

2. In-Kind Assistance: We also welcome in-kind donations such as goods or services that are relevant to our project. In-kind contributions will help us reduce costs and allocate resources more efficiently.

3. Volunteer Time: Time and expertise are invaluable assets to our project. Volunteering skills and knowledge through various activities and initiatives will drive our project forward.

The goal of this community project is to fully fundraise the addition to Earl Baker Park. Donations will be managed in conjunction with the Municipal Charitable Donations Policy No. 1-15 and as prescribed by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Municipality can issue tax and donation receipts for cash donations as outlined in Policy No. 1-15.