A rally held at Bonnerworth Park at the corner of Monaghan and McDonnel organized by retired Priest Father Leo Coughlin attracted a group of over 200 people on Saturday afternoon (May 18th).

The rally was meant to “Save Bonnerworth Park” from impending $4.4 million redevelopment, which will include the addition of 16 pickleball courts and up to 80 parking spots, which was officially approved by Peterborough City Council on April 8th. 

While Council had initially granted their approval for the redevelopment, which also includes a revamped skate park and a pump bike track, in October of 2023, and then again during subsequent budget meetings in November, it wasn’t until March 21st that residents were made aware of the footprint of both the pickleball courts and parking lot at a community consultation meeting.

Most recently, on May 13th, Councillors voted in favour of general committee chair Andrew Beamer to rule a motion by Town Ward Councillor Joy Lachica to bring final site plans and studies regarding the redevelopment back to council for approval out of order by a margin of 6-5.

The Save Bonnerworth movement has been spearheaded by local residents and an online petition started by local author and resident D’arcy Jenish on April 24th has gained over 3,700 signatures as of May 18th. 

The Saturday rally featured a number of speakers as people were encouraged to show up and demonstrate “how well used the space is,” according to a May 16th media release. As a result, the large green area between the existing skatepark, tennis courts, and the baseball diamonds was scattered with people young and old playing a variety of sports including soccer, football, and baseball. 

Fr. Coughlin, who is a resident of the Marycrest at Inglewood seniors’ residence directly across Monaghan Road from Bonnerworth Park, spoke passionately about the importance of speaking up to maintain the green space and of protecting the park for future generations.

“We are the voice of Bonnerworth,” he told the large crowd which gathered on one of the two baseball diamonds which are set to be replaced during the redevelopment. “This soil we are standing on is alive…and we are the voice of it and we really want to be heard.”

“Here’s where you have to understand it’s not just for us,” Fr. Coughlin continued. “There are the generations behind you. Those of you who are grandparents, think of your grandkids, great grandkids.”

At one point Marycrest resident, Anne Fischer, provided a live demonstration of how she plays fetch with her dog, Gracie, in the park by lobbing a plastic ball across the baseball diamond with a ChuckIt device. Despite her best efforts, some tosses ended up sending Gracie barreling into the crowd after her ball, while those in attendance looked on in delight and encouraged both Fischer and Gracie in their efforts.

John Gerelus who lives on Middleton Drive held up a picture of a cartoon that he had drawn up which includes a rendering of a Jeff Leal-esque subject wearing a “Mayor” button attempting to insert a square block labelled “pickleball” into a circular hole situated in the “O” of Bonnerworth.

Gerelus added that he questions whether or not the pickleball community even wishes to be here, noting that many players prefer to play inside and urging residents to try and pressure the City into finding alternative spots in the city for pickleball.

“So what are [city staff and council] doing to try and find alternative locations for this?” he asked. “It’s a square peg in a round hole and it does not fit here,” Gerelus said. 

Another resident, Mark Smith, emphasized his feeling that the Mayor and some Councillors are out of touch with the development and the needs of the community. 

Mayor Jeff Leal, he said “doesn’t have a fucking clue,” which prompted cheers and chants of “Jeff Leal, Get Real” from those assembled. 

“It was on Earth Day that they decided they’re going to pave over all this green space and they’re going to turn it into a big piece of pavement,” Smith continued.

Reached for comment on Saturday, Mayor Leal affirmed that rallies and protests of the sort which took place at Bonnerworth “are essential features of Canadian democratic values” and that these are reaffirmed “at the beginning of every General Committee Meeting and City Council Meeting.”

Leal’s statement did not directly address the specific concerns being expressed by citizens, specifically around the loss of green space in the city and the perceived lack of consultation and Council oversight of the final site plan. 

Meanwhile, Councillor Keith Riel, who earlier in the week voted to override chair Andrew Beamer’s out of order ruling on Joy Lachica’s motion, wrote to Arthur on Saturday that he believes Council and Staff “can do a better job of communication.”

“As chair of the board at PHC [Peterborough Housing Corporation] I have real concerns surrounding noises,” Riel’s statement continued.

PHC owns the 85 unit Hunt Terraces located at 555 Bonaccord Street, directly beside Bonnerworth Park, which offers both affordable and market rate units.

While Councillor Lachica had initially intended to attend Saturday’s rally, she was not able to make it in the end.

However, in response to questions about the event and the concerns of community members, Lachica told Arthur that “residents’ concerns continue to be my concerns.”

“I stand with them and will advocate for them in all the ways I possibly can at every juncture, as their councillor and as environment liaison,” Lachica’s statement continues. “Residents deserve transparency around all that unfolds, impacting their homes, their property, and their everyday lives.”

Arthur reached out to Co-Chair of Recreation, Parks, Fire Services and Arenas, Lesley Parnell, but did not receive comment in time for publication. 

Parnell was among those who upheld chair Beamer’s out of order ruling on May 13th, alongside Mayor Leal and councillors Duguay, Haacke, Baldwin, and Beamer himself.

According to Coughlin, Saturday’s rally is just the beginning and he plans to have a part in organizing more as this issue continues to gain momentum and attention in the community. 

He remains interested in speaking solely “to the decision,” as he has yet to hear back from Mayor or Council, and his understanding of the redevelopment’s “innappropriateness” at this time. 

In speaking to Arthur, Fr. Coughlin explained that his emails to Councillors have relied on four clear points: lack of transparency, problems with paving over green space, his understanding that Bonnerworth will no longer be for every Peterborough resident to enjoy, and the stress brought on by the constant noise, all of which are discussed in a lengthy letter posted on his website.