Scouts want to ‘adopt’ Elgin Park

Roger Varley

Scout Kathryn Marlatt. Cosmos file photo

Scouts take "ownership" of Elgin Park: Proudly wearing her Scout uniform, Kathryn Marlatt appeared before council to ask that the township put in place an Adopt a Park program, similar to the current Adopt a Road.

Noting that 1st Uxbridge Scouts had received the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Young Conservationist Award last October, Marlatt said the award has inspired the group to take on community environmental efforts. To that end, she called for the Adopt a Park approach to cover all public parks in Uxbridge and requested that the Scouts be allowed to adopt Elgin Park. As is the case with the Adopt a Road program, the scout group would periodically visit the park to pick up litter and trash.

Councillor Willie Popp said Marlatt's suggestion was "a wonderful idea" and would benefit the community.

In a later report, Courtney Clarke, deputy director of public works, said the Adopt a Road program could be expanded to include parks, noting that in the roads program participating groups and individuals agree to maintain a designated section of Township property to ensure its cleanliness. She recommended that such an expansion take place and also recommended that the Scouts be assigned Elgin Park. Council agreed unanimously.