Help Save Bonnerworth Park

NOV 14 - IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE FRIENDS OF BONNERWORTH PARK

Thank you for your continued support. It has kept us going despite the City moving forward with construction in the park.

Since our last update, some unexpected challenges have emerged:

On November 7, we were shocked to hear from our lawyer that he must withdraw from the case because of ill health. The firm will cease to operate by November 20.

On Monday, November 11, the City’s lawyer informed our departing lawyer that the trial coordinator erred in scheduling our hearing for November 25. The court is scheduling most civil matters for the spring of 2025.

Given the circumstances, our legal firm is unable to apply for a new—or emergency (given construction has started)—court date.

The battle is NOT over. The Friends are currently in discussion with another legal firm that has expressed interest in discussing our file.

We will keep you informed of what we learn over the coming days.

UPDATE November 6, 2024

Today, thanks to your incredible support, the Friends of Bonnerworth Park served the City of Peterborough with a Notice of Application for an injunction.

This is a major milestone that we couldn’t have achieved without your generosity and commitment to saving Bonnerworth Park.

While we’re getting closer, we haven’t reached our current goal of $50,000 to support our legal costs.

Please share this fundraiser with your network. Every donation makes a difference!

Stay tuned for future updates as the case proceeds.

UPDATE October 30, 2024

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the effort to save Bonnerworth Park—we’ve raised an incredible $37,000+ so far! Your generosity has given us the momentum we need to continue fighting the City’s plans.

Our legal team has been working hard to help prepare the application for an injunction. During this time, we’ve learned that the process is more involved than we initially understood it to be. The application must be accompanied by an affidavit that lays out our case in order for a judge to determine if it warrants a ‘stop work’ order while our case is being heard.

Although we’re reducing our legal costs by providing many of the details needed, given the steps and time involved in preparing the affidavit, we’re learning it will cost more to get to the point of filing the application for an injunction than we anticipated.

To cover these potentially higher legal expenses, we’ve increased our GoFundMe goal to $50,000.

As we push forward, we kindly ask that you share this fundraiser with your network to help us reach our new goal. Every donation and share brings us one step closer to preserving this essential community space. We’re grateful for your ongoing support and dedication to the Save Bonnerworth Park cause.

OCT 14 - AN URGENT MESSAGE

FROM THE FRIENDS OF BONNERWORTH PARK

OK Bonnerworth supporters, you’ve spoken!

In just over a week, our GoFundMe campaign has reached $32,000 to help with the costs of launching an injunction to stop the City from destroying Bonnerworth Park.

But we know that carrying the full case forward will take much more.

Because of the community’s incredible support to-date, we feel encouraged to increase our goal to match the reality of the costs of legal action needed to save this much-loved park.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE MORE THAN EVER.

With your help, we can do it!

Please help reach our fundraising goal by donating TODAY.

[Note: As the Not-for-Profit Friends of Bonnerworth Park, we do not have charitable status so are unable to issue tax receipts for donations.]

OUR STORY

The Save Bonnerworth Park Coalition was formed in March 2024 to oppose the City of Peterborough’s plan to pave over much of Bonnerworth Park to create one of the largest pickleball complexes in Ontario.

Despite more than 8,100 people signing a petition opposing the plan, the City of Peterborough insists on pushing ahead with its plan.

It’s now clear that an injunction is needed to stop the project from going ahead.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. The City could start construction in the next few weeks.

WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU. PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

For more information please visit: https://savebonnerworthpark.ptbo.org/

Thank you for your support,

The Coalition to Save Bonnerworth Park