Project Overview

From March 6-9, 2023, Odessa Public School's Grade 6/7 class participated in the Imagining My Sustainable Community (IMSC) program. Led by No. 9, this award-winning workshop empowered students to design sustainable communities, aligning with the ResiLienT Loyalist Township Climate Action Plan.

The 4-day workshop covered key sustainability pillars, culminating in student presentations on March 9. The Township selected two projects for implementation: a reading garden at Babcock Mill Park, and a rainbow crosswalk on Main Street.

On June 9, 2023, students visited Babcock Mill to discuss practical aspects of their projects. They envisioned the reading garden as a community hub and the rainbow crosswalk as a symbol of inclusivity and vibrancy.

The projects were formally presented at the Loyalist Township Council meeting on October 23, 2023, and approved for commencement in spring 2024. The rainbow crosswalk was included in the Potter Creighton South Main Infrastructure Upgrades project, with a public information session held on April 17, 2024.

On May 14, 2024, Council approved a budget transfer to supplement the reading garden project and rainbow crosswalk. Township staff drafted a design, with construction expected in 2024 as part of the Odessa West Infrastructure Upgrades project.

During the spring of 2024, Austin, a student from Ernestown Secondary School, under the guidance of teacher Nick O'Coin, dedicated his lunch hours to constructing a little library for the Babcock Mill Park Reading Garden.

The grand opening of the Babcock Mill Reading Garden is currently being planned for October 23, 2024. This event will celebrate the completion of the student-inspired project, inviting local partners, students, and community members to experience this new sustainable green space. The opening marks a significant milestone in the Township's commitment to sustainable community development and creating inclusive public spaces for all residents to enjoy.