The Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex have had the pleasure of accessing the Eco Park to provide social recreational programming for our children and youth in care ages 14 to 21 for the past 2 years. We offer a drop-in program open to all our foster and group home care providers. Our Youth in Care Leadership participants help plan and run these events and can gain valuable skills and experience for a resume. The youth especially enjoy the fishing, canoes and playing beach volleyball.
In 2011 the Provincial government proclaimed May 14 as Children and Youth in Care Day. A day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of all children and youth living in the care of a society. We have had the pleasure of offering a Community BBQ and celebration at the park and plans are underway for this year’s celebration on Friday July 5 2019.
Most memorable to date was our Haunted Barn and Pirate Ship Halloween event hosted in October 2018. The pavilion was decked out as a pirate ship and offerePd a variety of Halloween related activities including pumpkin carving, and caramel apple making. Youth could dance the night away in the haunted barn or gather by the bonfire. We are hoping this will be an annual event.
Plans are underway to have a community garden space at the park that youth from our collective kitchen will maintain and harvest. The goal is to use the produce in our collective kitchen as well distribute to our youth who are living independently.