PRESS RELEASE

DHS To Kick Off Fountain Project

DUNNVILLE—A long-awaited Dunnville project gets kicked off on April 29, 2017.

Project lead, Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS), partnering with Dunnville Christian
School and Haldimand County, will begin initial work on the Centennial Park Fountain’s
rehabilitation.

The public is invited to drop in at the park any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to survey
the extensive improvements planned and meet our community partners who will be
beginning their work. Many local groups, suppliers and community groups will come
together to see a dramatic facelift executed on Centennial Park.

Most notably, the Centennial Fountain will be refabricated with concrete work done by
Dunnville Silo Ltd. A living (green) wall grown by Devron Sales Ltd. will replace the water
that once flowed through the fountain, creating a more sustainable display. Electrical work
to be done by Hines Electric will allow for lighting the fountain and the permanent legacy
boards to be installed. Red and white plantings around the fountain’s base will
commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday, later to be replanted with drought tolerant and
native plants.

Internationally renowned sculptor and artist Christian Corbet will restore the historically
significant friezes that line each side of the fountain uprights from May 8 to 19. Corbet is the
only protege to Elizabeth Holbrook, the original artist who created the friezes, which depict
Dunnville’s history.

Research conducted by students at Dunnville Christian School revealed that Holbrook went
on to become internationally recognized in her own right, and that Dunnville’s Centennial
Park Fountain represents one of the largest collections of her work. The original work was
completed in 1967 to commemorate Canada’s Centennial.

In addition to the work on the fountain, a new pollinator garden will be installed in front of
Muddy, pathways will be reworked, concrete pads will be poured for new benches and the
bridge crossing Thompson Creek will be made accessible, which will link Centennial Park to
Lions Park. Local artist Mike Walker, who created Muddy The Mudcat, will be on hand
working to refurbish the town’s mascot and most recognizable landmark.

The Centennial Park and fountain project represents the largest project ever undertaken by
the Dunnville Horticultural Society. Donations to the project are actively being sought and
the public is welcome to donate on April 29 at the park. Work is scheduled to be completed
by September 23, 2017 to coincide with a public rededication celebration.

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