Hiking Encouraged on International Trails Day on June 3

Petrolia – The Petrolia Trails Committee is urging residents and outdoor enthusiasts to get out and enjoy the trails in Petrolia on Saturday, June 3 in observation of International Trails Day.

The volunteer committee has been working on re-developing Petrolia’s trail system in Bridgeview Park North for about three years and has been expanding the offered walking trails and improving signage for users. Petrolia is rich with green space and has some interesting terrain for a variety of trail difficulties.

In the autumn of 2022, the Margaret Stokes IODE dedicated the “Jubilee Trail” and added some benches and trees to the trail. Shell Canada donated over 300 trees to the trail system and helped plant them, and countless hours of volunteer time has been spent clearing and cleaning up the walking trails and developing interesting routes through Bridgeview Park North.

Chairperson, Terry Syer, said, “This has been a real labour of love for me and for others on our committee – I love the outdoors, hiking and trail exploring and I think it’s very important that people are active to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Trail walking is never the same walk twice, there’s always different birds and wildlife, the trees and plants are ever-changing and it’s just a peaceful place to enjoy some time alone in nature.”

Work continues on the Petrolia Trails System, with plans for additional trails in the works. Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Dave Menzies said, “We’re in the middle of a five-year plan to redevelop the trails system in Petrolia and so far, great progress is being made each season toward our ultimate goal of connecting several areas in Petrolia with walking trails.”

International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails, trail development and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June. Started by the American Hiking Society in 1992, trails Day has spread to encompass all forms of recreational trail usage in more than a dozen countries worldwide. It promotes public awareness of and appreciation for trails and the people who build & maintain them, and builds partnerships among trail groups, businesses, and public land managers. It also encourages cooperative efforts among different trail users, including hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, walkers, runners. International Trails Day brings together trail enthusiasts to participate in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops, and trail work projects. Leisure Information Network

As the fourth annual Provincial Day of Action on Litter approaches, the Town of Petrolia is encouraging volunteers to come out and participate in a Town Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 6.

The Town of Petrolia will host a downtown and parks clean up day in support of the Provincial initiative.  Volunteers are asked to meet at the Kerr Building, 396 Fletcher Street (behind the library) at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023.  From there, volunteers will be deployed around Petrolia armed with garbage bags, and garden waste bags.  Those interested in volunteering are asked to bring gloves, a rake, and a broom.

This initiative has been in place for several years now, and each year a variety of community groups, individuals and organizations participate.  Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Dave Menzies said, “It’s always a lot of fun, and the results speak for themselves – in about three hours Petrolia is cleaned up, litter is collected and we’re ready for another season of enjoying our parks and outdoor spaces.”  Student volunteers can earn high school volunteer hours by bringing their sheets to be signed by Town staff.

There is no need to pre-register, but if you would like to request a certain area of Petrolia to help with, please contact Thera at twagner@petrolia.ca. This event will not proceed in rain, an alternative date will be announced if required.

2023 GREEN LEADER PROGRAM Recipient Announcement
In partnership with Waste Management of Canada and the Town of Petrolia

The Green Leader Program is part of Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia’s ongoing efforts to encourage the development of local community engagement and environmental solutions that build sustainable communities. The program is centered around a grant opportunity that is available to applicants living, working, and learning in the Town of Petrolia or benefiting Petrolia and its residents.

Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia are pleased with the number of businesses, organizations, and institutions that applied for this funding opportunity in the 2022 intake. The program is designed to support initiatives that highlight the following sustainability goals:

Environmental Goal:

• The Green Leader program supports organizations and initiatives that preserve and/or enhance natural resources and/or help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Community Goal:

• The Green Leader program focuses on local initiatives that support employees, enhance our environment, promote education, and improve the safety and livability of our communities.

Each year, a committee of community members look over the applications and grade each application on the above criteria and rank the applications with assigned dollar value recommendations. There is an available funding amount of $15,000 available for the projects. Each applicant may request up to $15,000 in program/project funding. This funding is a one-time, non-repayable, fully funded grant. Applications are due each year on March 30. Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia would like to thank our volunteers for their assistance in the selection of this year’s recipients.

“Earth Day is the perfect day for this annual announcement as it brings community attention to the issues facing the earth and through this program, it is a nice opportunity to do our part. Residents are encouraged to visit earthday.org to learn more about what they can do for our planet. We are very grateful for this partnership with Waste Management for the betterment of our community and for our earth.” Said, Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois.

2023 Successful Projects:

KERR PARK PROJECT
Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club
$3000
Project Summary
To place soft surface under the small playground equipment using recycled rubber material in the fall area for youth safety at Kerr Park.

EXPANSION OF PRESCHOOL GARDENING PROJECT
Petrolia & Area Kiwanis Club
$4000
Project Summary
Our project which started in 2021, provided eight preschool and school-aged summer programs with the necessary materials and tools needed to create hands-on learning opportunities about gardening and composting. We plan to expand to four additional preschool programs.

QUEEN E GOES GREEN
Queen Elizabeth II School, Petrolia
$5000
Project Summary
The project is a school composting initiative that will see an outdoor school garden, composting buckets in each classroom, and 2-3 outdoor composters in the garden. This project also includes an indoor Hydroponic Grow Tower near the library, and one that travels from classroom to classroom.

NATIVE SPECIES WELCOME GARDENS
St. Philip Catholic School
$3000
Project Summary
The purpose of this project is to plant two welcoming gardens at the front of the school created from plants that are native to south-western Ontario. The students will work with the nursery to choose, plan, create, and maintain the gardens (as a legacy to their school and community).

Previous Successful Applicants:

2022
Hillcrest Public School (School Council) – $5,000.
The Rotary Club of Petrolia – $5,000.
Petrolia Heritage Advisory Committee – Special North Street Cemetery Project – $2,500.
IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter – $2,500.

2021
The Petrolia Discovery Foundation Inc. – approved for – $10,000.
The Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club – approved for – $5000.

2020
Parents For-Parks – approved for – $15,000.
St. Clair Conservation Authority – approved for – $10,000.
The Petrolia and Enniskillen Agricultural Society– approved for – $5,000.
(2020 was a double intake year)

 In 2024, Petrolia will celebrate a major milestone – the Oil Town will celebrate 150 years of incorporation.  Known affectionately by volunteer Committee members as a Sesquicentennial Celebration, the 150^th, our big birthday and more, a team of community members have been hard at work since 2018 brainstorming, discussing, surveying, planning, and figuring. 

Hampered only slightly by some online event applications being closed in late 2020 through to late 2022 or early 2023, the Committee has continued to meet monthly and plan activities, events, and reasons for people to celebrate together.  “Our committee has taken a clear approach from the very first meeting, and that is to involve as many people in the planning and execution of our events as we can, and to create events and activities that pull as many residents and former residents together as possible.” Said, Denise Thibeault, Chairperson for the Petrolia 150 Committee.

At the regular meeting of Petrolia Council this evening, the Council heard the Committee’s recommendation for a Legacy project for the community.  As some background, the Committee identified their approach, which included that the Petrolia 150 Committee identified the goal of creating a Legacy Project that would benefit the community for many years.  The Committee believed that this project should meet the following guidelines: 

1.            Be available for use for all.

2.            Be fully accessible.

3.            Be an item that is a low-cost/no-cost option for use, that is not limited to one age group.

4.            Take a prominent physical position in the community.

Although many projects were discussed, none of the projects fit all four of the required parameters. However, recently, the Petrolia 150 Committee became aware of a community need and discussed the option at the Sub-Committee level as an item for consideration for the Legacy Project.

Through recommendation to Council, the Committee was delighted to receive approval to replace the existing bandshell in Victoria Park, Petrolia with a new fully accessible one that addresses the following:

•             Meets AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act) Compliance

•             Available for use by all members of the community as an outdoor stage space or for outdoor gathering for music, etc.

•             Permanent accessible washrooms

•             New sound and lighting for events (Christmas in the Park, Art in the Park)

•             Continued use by churches, services clubs, Town of Petrolia events (Pizzafest, Art in the Park, and Christmas in the Park) and many other groups and organizations

The expected project cost is approximately $250K, with $200K in the 2023 Town of Petrolia Capital Budget and the remaining expenses to be fundraised through the Petrolia 150 Committee with Coin Set, clothing, and souvenir sales.

The expected timeline is that the existing unit would be removed in early September 2023, (after the scheduled community use for Art in the Park, Pizzafest, and the non-denominational church activities planned throughout the summer).  Work would take place in the fall of 2023, and the bandshell would be open with a celebration in the late spring of 2024.

The Committee was also pleased to bring the first glimpse of the 2024 activity plans to the public and look forward to furnishing a detailed list later in 2023.  “…It’s a reminder to “Save the Date” and to reach out to family, friends and other to do the same.” Said, Laurissa Ellsworth, Director of Marketing, Arts and Communications for the Town of Petrolia.

The Committee will look to launch a website and social media presence in the coming months as they prepare for some “…really big announcements!  You only turn 150 once!” Added Ellsworth.

SAVE THE DATES

JANUARY

Monday – 1 — Petrolia 150 Event 1-3pm, 730pm-1030pm

FEBRUARY

Fri-Mon 16, 17, 18 & 19 — Family Fun Days Weekend

MAY

Sat & Sun – 25 & 26 — Two Day Petrolia 150 Event – Greenwood Park

Saturday – 25 –Farmers’ Market Grand Opening

JUNE

Saturday – 1 — Pizzafest

Fri-Sun 14, 15 & 16 — Three Day Petrolia 150 Event – around Petrolia

JULY

Monday – 1 – Canada Day Celebrations

Fri & Sat 12 & 13 — Art in the Park

Saturday 13 – Barn Dance

AUGUST

Thurs – Sun 15, 16, 17 & 18 — Four Day 150 Event – Around Petrolia, and Greenwood Park

SEPTEMBER

Saturday – 14 — Harvestfest – Farmers’ Market

DECEMBER

Friday – 6 – Christmas in the Park, Chili Cook Off

Saturday – 7 – Christmas Market, 10-3

Saturday – 7 – Santa Claus Parade – 2pm “Celebrating Petrolia 150”

Tuesday – 31 — Petrolia 150 Closing Event