City of Burlington Purchases Lions Club Park Property
ADMINISTRATOR'S UPDATE (Monday, Jan. 31, 2022): This post has been updated with the cost of the sale of Lions Club Park. Please see below.
"The City’s purchase of Burlington Lions Club Park preserves this vital urban greenspace for our residents now and in the future, and it provides an investment to the Lions Club that they will return to the community from proceeds of the sale. This purchase ensures the Lions Club, now in its 97th year, can continue serving our community, and the surrounding greenspace will be protected -- a win-win for everyone." -- Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — Jan. 28, 2022 — The City of Burlington has completed an agreement with the Burlington Lions Club to purchase part of their downtown property located on Pearl Street which is known as Lions Club Park. The purchased land is approximately 1.8 acres.The acquisition of this property means that acres of green space will remain in public hands in perpetuity. Preserving and expanding parks is a key strategic land priority for the City of Burlington in developing and implementing our parks master plan.The sale to the City of Burlington does not include the property that houses the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) and the Lions Hall.The cost of the sale is $6 million and being paid through the City of Burlington's Strategic Land Acquisition Reserve Fund.The name of the park will remain Lions Club Park.The Burlington Lions Club was chartered in 1925, and has served Burlington and area ever since. Lions provide community services, such as the Farmers’ Market, and make donations to youth sports clubs, student awards, hospitals, other health providers, community services like food banks, and much more. Its motto has been, is, and always will be: “We Serve”. New members and volunteers with a desire to help their fellow citizens are always welcome to join us.
"Burlington Lions are extremely proud of the far-sighted Lions who purchased this property back in 1929, and of our members’ determination to be good stewards of it for the 92 years since.This agreement enables the Lions Club to provide expanded service to the community for many years to come. It also ensures that the area will remain as a park for future generations to enjoy, as envisioned by Council in 1991 and by Lions continuously since 1929. As with all agreements between Lions and the City of Burlington, this is a win-win-win for both parties and for all citizens of Burlington." -- Bob Hilton, Chair of Lions Negotiating Committee"Residents continuously advocate for preserving and increasing green space, this agreement with the Lions Club shows we are committed to maintaining a sustainable and livable Burlington. As the area councillor, I share this remarkable achievement with everyone involved to protect and grow green spaces, especially in our downtown. Many may be just learning that this was privately owned land, the City’s acquisition of this property will now preserve Lions Club Park for residents to enjoy indefinitely. I would like to thank the Burlington Lions Club for their continued partnership, their work in our community and support of the City’s goals through this sale." -- Ward 2 Counc. Lisa Kearns, City of Burlington
Quick Facts:
- An agreement with the City of Burlington leading up to the sale was put in place in 1991, followed by a further agreement in 2002 on a formula that specifies a substantial discount from the appraised value at the time of sale to the City.
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist