Bogart Street Park re-opens featuring renovations and art installation

Bogart Street Park officially re-opened at a ceremony this morning celebrating the completion of extensive renovations to the park's tennis courts and playground, as well as the unveiling of a captivating new art installation.

“The upgrades to the park along with the addition of the stunning 'Ohné:ka' art installation, highlight our dedication to creating exceptional recreational spaces in St. Catharines,” says Phil Cristi, Director of Community, Recreation and Culture Services. “Through our collaborative efforts with the Niagara Regional Native Centre and with the support of the ICIP grant, we are proud to offer residents and visitors a revitalized park that celebrates art, culture, and recreation.”

The revitalization portion of the project was made possible by funding from the City of St. Catharines as well as the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario as part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) which supports various community, cultural, and recreation infrastructure projects. The maximum amount of funding that St. Catharines was approved for was $437,000. The art installation was supported by the City of St. Catharines in partnership with the Niagara Regional Native Centre.

“As part of our plan to build Ontario, we’re investing in local infrastructure that will support communities like St. Catharines. Together with our partners, our government is proud to support the renovations to Bogart Street Park,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure. “Residents of St. Catharines and the Niagara region can now participate in more sports and recreational activities in this inclusive and accessible space, giving way to more healthy lifestyles for years to come.”

The park received enhancements including new landscaping, a reconstructed parking lot, and a playground structure featuring several accessibility elements. The existing tennis courts were transformed into multi-use courts to accommodate a variety of sports, including tennis, basketball, ball hockey and handball.

"Bogart Street Park has long been a favourite destination for local families in St. Catharines to play sports or cool down in the summer heat," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. "Today's re-opening ceremony of the renovated tennis courts and playground - funded by the province, as well as the federal government and City of St. Catharines - is a great example of how various levels of government can work together on community infrastructure that will benefit local residents for years to come."

Throughout the design and implementation phases of the art project, the City of St. Catharines collaborated closely with the Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC). Visual artist Cheyenne Ricard created the chosen public art piece. Additionally, the NRNC worked alongside children who are members of the centre to produce artwork for the interior of the building.

"Today's re-opening of Bogart Street Park is a testament to our commitment to investing in vibrant community spaces," said Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines. "We are pleased to have contributed funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support the extensive renovations to the tennis courts and playground. This project exemplifies our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors in St. Catharines, providing them with a remarkable and inclusive outdoor space to enjoy."

The Port Weller Community Centre has been enriched with the installation of a mural on the outside of the building titled Ohné:ka. Inside, an exhibition titled ‘Ohné:ka: The Mohawk Word for Water’ is on view.

For more information on the Bogart Street Park Public Art project and a peek at the mural art, visit stcatharines.ca/BogartArt.