Randy Evans & Gary Shrumm
Newton Park in north-end Sarnia would likely not exist today, but for the presence of a troublesome ditch.
The baby boom was on in the 1950s and to meet the growing demand for housing plans were drawn up for new subdivisions. Under city policy, developers had to dedicate land for neighbourhood parks.
One area slated for new homes was a large block bounded by Indian, Murphy and Errol roads, and to the north by Cathcart Boulevard.
Records show the original plan called for Beverley Road to start at Indian Road and proceed all the way east to Murphy. That road would have bisected what is now Newton Park, then continued along what today is Gurd Street.
In 1954-55, the Kemsley family began to develop McCrie Street and the lands east to Murphy Road. Included were two large lots between McCrie and Miller Drive, which were deeded to the city, apparently for parkland.
In 1954, Kember Construction laid out the first part of Beverley Road, starting at Indian and ending at what is now the west end of Newton Park. A second subdivision plan to complete the job was prepared and approved by city council on July 4, 1955.
But the approval was conditional on the company closing up a drainage ditch that ran through the property, and apparently that had become a problem.
John C. Kember went back to council that September with a proposed land swap: He’d give the city the ditch and surrounding 6.3 acres for a park, and in return be given the proposed park lots to the east in the Kemsley subdivision.
Just 13 days later council agreed, and in a deed dated Jan. 10, 1956 the city took ownership of the land that became Newton Park.
The park is believed to have taken its name from Jack Newton. His long and impressive resume includes a Grey Cup championship, First World War recipient of the Military Cross, Sarnia Imperials and member of the Sarnia Parks Board.
For decades, Newton Park and its community centre served residents well, providing open space for walking, football, baseball, activities for the kids on summer break (once supervised), swings, slides, and even checkers competitions.
But over the past decade depressions have appeared as the ground sinks in places. The city has responded the past few years by trucking in soil to fill in the receding areas, and it’s hoped that better days are still ahead for Newton Park.