The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[bingun]

I didn’t catch last nights meeting but does anybody know about the below?

- City Council has approved a sponsorship agreement with Saputo Inc., with details to be announced at a later date. The Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to finalize and sign the agreement on behalf of the City.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bingun

I didn’t catch last nights meeting but does anybody know about the below?

I really hope they are renaming the Lord Beaverbrook Arena as the Baxter's Egg Nog Bowl.

[sailor734]

Looks like the TD sponsorship of Harbour Station is expiring (was extended for one year last summer)

https://app.sponsorcircle.com/articles/2132


Saputo Station?

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

With the recent campaign promise by the Liberals to "Establish at least one new national urban park in every province and territory, with a target of establishing 15 national urban parks by 2030," maybe this is finally Rockwood Park's chance at becoming national?

There wouldn't be a lot of choices for Urban National Parks in New Brunswick, although the previously mentioned one around Musquash might qualify since it would include some areas within city boundaries, even if it extends quite a ways outside of it.

Not sure what the criteria for an Urban National Park would be, but I suspect all three of NB's big cities would have areas that could potentially qualify.

Rookwood might be good for Saint John.
For Freddy, either up at Kilarney Lake or Odell Park might be good choices, depending on what the criteria is.

For Moncton, I think they've got some big areas. Centennial Park might be too developed, but eyeballing the map, I would make a brand new park from the riverfront; call it Tidal Bore National Urban Park. It already has numerous walking trails and such on both sides of the river. Just make sure to carve out some right of ways for future river crossings and some access parking areas (many of which are already there) and it would be perfect I think

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Looks like the TD sponsorship of Harbour Station is expiring (was extended for one year last summer)

https://app.sponsorcircle.com/articles/2132


Saputo Station?

Dang, there goes my idea for a bus from TD Station to TD Garden… not that many would support a bus route to the US in the current climate

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

With the recent campaign promise by the Liberals to "Establish at least one new national urban park in every province and territory, with a target of establishing 15 national urban parks by 2030," maybe this is finally Rockwood Park's chance at becoming national?

There wouldn't be a lot of choices for Urban National Parks in New Brunswick, although the previously mentioned one around Musquash might qualify since it would include some areas within city boundaries, even if it extends quite a ways outside of it.

Carney does intend to create 10 new national parks and marine conservation areas, as well. Musquash might qualify as a marine conservation area, or maybe Passamaquoddy Bay. Moreover, I think Grand Manan could be a spectacular place for a National Park.

Rockwood Park seems like the obvious choice for a National Urban Park, but we’ll still have to make a good case for Saint John getting it over Moncton, as I doubt we see more than one established in NB, the second smallest province.


edit: Here's another idea regarding the national urban parks, that could also remedy the lack of outdoor hockey facilities in Saint John.

SJ doesn't have a single public outdoor ice hockey rink, including the poorly planned Memorial Cup project pictured that's locked up all winter.

Since Rockwood Park is an obvious candidate to become one of the 15 National Urban Parks that Carney plans to build by 2030... I think it should be mandatory that all 15 of these National Urban Parks have a full sized outdoor rink that can be used for hockey in the winter, and lacrosse in the summer, Canada's two national sports.

Rockwood Park would be an amazing backdrop for an outdoor hockey rink, and with a proper facility, it could be a great place to play hockey too, unlike Lily Lake.


Thinking outside the box, it would sure be nice to see the causeway be built and open up Partridge Island to the public, which could possibly be brought under the fold of Fundy National Park, or the National Urban Park. The Fundy Trail Parkway would also be a good addition to Fundy National Park.

If anything is going to get done for Partridge Island, however, the Liberals might have to win Saint John—St. Croix should the Carney Liberals win the majority that the polls are indicating.

I must say, it was disappointing Wayne Long gave up on his idea to open up the island to the public, as there’s still a great opportunity there.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

With the recent campaign promise by the Liberals to "Establish at least one new national urban park in every province and territory, with a target of establishing 15 national urban parks by 2030," maybe this is finally Rockwood Park's chance at becoming national?

There wouldn't be a lot of choices for Urban National Parks in New Brunswick, although the previously mentioned one around Musquash might qualify since it would include some areas within city boundaries, even if it extends quite a ways outside of it.

National park establishment is AFAIK an agonizingly long process, unless they just rubber stamp and rebrand an existing park. In that case, Rockwood would be the easiest... they just need to properly delineate it, which is overdue anyway.

I don't know if there's anywhere else in New Brunswick that would fit the bill other than there, or as you said, Musquash (with basically everything from Split Rock to Loch Alva to Round Meadow Cove rolled in). I doubt UNB Fredericton would part with the woodlot, which might not be a good fit anyway, and Odell is far too small. Maybe the Sugar Island to Jewett Island 'Fredericton Archipelago'?

Nothing really fits the bill in Moncton unless I'm totally mistaken.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

National park establishment is AFAIK an agonizingly long process, unless they just rubber stamp and rebrand an existing park. In that case, Rockwood would be the easiest... they just need to properly delineate it, which is overdue anyway.

I don't know if there's anywhere else in New Brunswick that would fit the bill other than there, or as you said, Musquash (with basically everything from Split Rock to Loch Alva to Round Meadow Cove rolled in). I doubt UNB Fredericton would part with the woodlot, which might not be a good fit anyway, and Odell is far too small. Maybe the Sugar Island to Jewett Island 'Fredericton Archipelago'?

Nothing really fits the bill in Moncton unless I'm totally mistaken.

It's a long process, and for good reason. I've been involved in MPA and National Conservation Area prep work before and it takes years or decades.

That all being said, if the government does move forward with this commitment, it could just be a matter of whoever speaks first or loudest gets the benefit, so it might be a good idea for the City of SJ to start lobbying for it. I'm sure the city's management would love to pass off Rockwood's costs onto the federal government.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

National park establishment is AFAIK an agonizingly long process, unless they just rubber stamp and rebrand an existing park. In that case, Rockwood would be the easiest... they just need to properly delineate it, which is overdue anyway.

I don't know if there's anywhere else in New Brunswick that would fit the bill other than there, or as you said, Musquash (with basically everything from Split Rock to Loch Alva to Round Meadow Cove rolled in). I doubt UNB Fredericton would part with the woodlot, which might not be a good fit anyway, and Odell is far too small. Maybe the Sugar Island to Jewett Island 'Fredericton Archipelago'?

Nothing really fits the bill in Moncton unless I'm totally mistaken.

Irishtown Nature Park in Moncton is the largest urban nature park in Canada. It would be Moncton’s top contender

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Irishtown Nature Park in Moncton is the largest urban nature park in Canada. It would be Moncton’s top contender

All of these 'largest' or qualified statements are fascinating to me, as they are always ranked against themselves in many ways. Much like in sports where you can rank a historic milestone by setting a baseline no one ever bothered to parse before.

All that to say, it's such an odd New Brunswick coincidence that Rockwood Park and Irishtown Nature Park are both exactly 890 hectares (2,200 acres) according to their respective cities. So they are the same size, but you could say Irishtown is the largest "urban nature park in Canada," while you could make a designation for Rockwood like the largest urban park with a UNESCO designation in Canada, or something.

Meanwhile something like Pippy Park in St. John's is larger than either at 1,376 hectare (3,400 acre), and Edmonton has parks that are over 7,000 ha in size, so it's all relative on a list of superlatives.

[MonctonPerson]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Irishtown Nature Park in Moncton is the largest urban nature park in Canada. It would be Moncton’s top contender

The former mayor floated the idea of a national urban park in the Vision Lands.

[bingun]

The Mayor/city put out a statement on the Wolastoq Park debacle.

http://https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-...reardon-regarding-rezoning-wolastaq-park

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bingun

The Mayor/city put out a statement on the Wolastoq Park debacle.

http://https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-...reardon-regarding-rezoning-wolastaq-park

Link isn't working for me.

Found it here....

https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-notices...reardon-regarding-rezoning-wolastaq-park

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

https://thechambersj.com/chamber-calls-for-bold-leadership-following-councils-rezoning-rejection/

Pretty rich for the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce to be so critical of the city’s decision to protect green space and the long terms interests of a residential neighbourhood, when she resides outside the city, in Grand Bay.

I’m sure residents of Grand Bay would support one of their most prominent parks being turned into a parking lot. 🙄

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

It's a long process, and for good reason. I've been involved in MPA and National Conservation Area prep work before and it takes years or decades.

That all being said, if the government does move forward with this commitment, it could just be a matter of whoever speaks first or loudest gets the benefit, so it might be a good idea for the City of SJ to start lobbying for it. I'm sure the city's management would love to pass off Rockwood's costs onto the federal government.

Absolutely. Moreover, it should be on the radar for our local MLAs, and especially our local candidates running to be MPs.

Considering Saint John is the most tariff vulnerable city in all of Canada, we should be milking that for all the federal funding, support, and initiatives as we can.

Plus, being the oldest incorporated city in Canada shouldn't hurt in terms of why should get the national urban park over Fredericton or Moncton.

[cdnguys]

[sailor734]

Is that the old church at the Main St end of Douglas?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Is that the old church at the Main St end of Douglas?

Yes with an extension added

[DevelopmentAndy]

Not even close.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DevelopmentAndy

Not even close.

No? Google street view shows 6 Douglas Ave as being that old church.

Or is this a new building going up in the vacant space between the church and Main St?