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Parksville’s Memorial Avenue plaza project officially unveiled next month

Official opening of new public space set for July 5
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Concept drawing for Memorial Avenue and Hirst Avenue in Parksville’s downtown core. (City of Parksville)

The City of Parksville invites residents to the official opening of Memorial Plaza on July 5.

Memorial Plaza, part of the Hirst Avenue West and Memorial Avenue upgrades project, is a new 13,800-square-foot public space for residents, visitors, businesses and community organizations to celebrate and experience Parksville Downtown, according to a news release by the city.

“With this project, Memorial Avenue is transformed from a primarily vehicular corridor to a true people place,” said Mayor Ed Mayne. “Complementing the vision for Parksville’s downtown to encourage increased use by residents and visitors and support economic activity.”

The improvements are part of the city’s downtown revitalization strategy. Historic Memorial Avenue will feature a new streetscape with one-way vehicle traffic eastbound and improved irrigation and growing conditions for the trees, as well as new street trees on Hirst Avenue West.

A portion of the project was funded through the Federal Gas Tax Fund and ICBC.

“Following the official ceremony to dedicate the plaza, music and cupcakes, we hope residents will enjoy a visit to the Summer by the Sea Street Market on Craig Street, just across Alberni Highway,” reads the release.

The ceremony rus from from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the market then open until 9 p.m.

READ MORE: Parksville council considers future parkland next to Englishman River

Memorial Avenue, one of the oldest streets in Parksville, is a living monument to the community’s fallen First World War soldiers. The original century-old memorial elm trees were planted in 1922 and now, 100 years later, the avenue will continue to honour the memory of the men who lost their lives with new elm trees, to be planted this year.

Details about the project may be viewed on the city’s public engagement website, Let’s Talk Parksville.

— NEWS Staff, submitted

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