Concept plans for Henri Rocque Park approved

City Councillor Stephen Blais is pleased to announce that the first park in the new Avalon Encore community has been approved and will begin construction this year.

“Families that have chosen Avalon Encore will not have to wait years for their park to be built,” says Blais. “Our new park building process will ensure residents of all ages will be able to enjoy the park shortly after moving in.”

Henri Rocque Park is a 1.2 hectare neighbourhood park fronting onto Décoeur Drive, Magnolia Street and Hepatica Way in the new Avalon Encore subdivision. Once complete, it will provide the community with an outdoor recreation and meeting place for residents of all ages.

“This is the first of three new parks that will be built in this area contributing to an already vibrant parks and recreation infrastructure in Cumberland Ward,” adds Blais. “Parks an important part of bringing a new community together and providing residents an opportunity to stay healthy and fit.”

Features will include a shade structure, junior and senior play structures, swings, splashpad, adult fitness area, grassy open space, pathways, plantings, seating areas, and a basketball key. A natural area will be incorporated into the design.

“I’m extatic that we were able to include an adult fitness circuit in the new park,” adds Blais. “Henri Rocque Park will be on of the first to include this type of feature and will provide residents an excellen opportunity to exercise and stay fit without the cost of a monthly membership.”

Henri Rocque Park is named to commemorate the cultural heritage of one of Orléans’ earliest residents. An educator at local schools, who rose to become a principal. A community activist who served as president of the Orléans Chamber of Commerce; president of the Orléans Police Village, from 1961 to1969; vice-chair of the Gloucester Planning Committee; and member of the Gloucester Bilingualism Committee in 1971. In 1972, Mr. Rocque was elected to the Council of the Township of Cumberland, first as Reeve and later as Mayor.