Memory Lane pathway project underway in Standard

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Nearly 100 years after the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) donated a one-kilometer stretch of park area to the village of Standard, the Standard Community Facility Enhancement Society is planning on turning the grassy patch into a pathway that preserves the community’s history – a project with a $300,000 cost attached.
The land, which was donated in 1923, remained untouched for years. Following much interest among community members, the society was formed to raise funds and turn the green space into an enjoyable walkway and bicycle path.
Having attracted attention from Don Sundgaard, Jackie Jensen, Moe Zaleschuk, Louise Welen, Standard Councillor Ron Corbiell, and Standard Mayor Alan Larsen – who are the six directors on the society – the project is now gaining momentum.
“I saw ladies walking on Hwy 840, which has almost no shoulder, sometimes with their baby carriages, which was kind of a dangerous situation,” said Don Sundgaard, president of the Standard Community Facility Enhancement Society. “I thought why don’t we take this park and make it into a pathway for walking and cycling. We’re going to be planting shrubs and trees and putting a water system in, but the important thing is the pathway for people for exercise, but also to preserve the history of the families and businesses that build the community and surrounding area.”
The proposed three-year project, named Memory Lane, is 100 feet wide and one kilometer long, located on the ‘Old Elevator Road’ along Christian Avenue.
Unlike most pathways, however, Memory Lane seeks to preserve and emphasize the bygone days of the community by erecting signs along the way – highlighting the history of businesses, elevators, and other items associated with the 400-resident village over the past 100 years.
The society has already begun applying for various grants, including federal grants, to reach their $300,000 goal. While the organization, which currently contains 20 members and six directors, hopes to break ground later this year, the project is anticipated to reach completion in 2017, just in time for the 150-year anniversary of Confederation.
“That park is old and there’s never really been anything done with it,” said Jackie Jensen, vice-president of the Standard Community Facility Enhancement Society.
“We’re just in the infancy stages. We’re raising money, getting opinions, and having a few public meetings. It recognized some of the older people and the older things that were around at that time, and maybe we can just help to beautify the community with it too.”
The site stretches one kilometers west from Hwy 840, and used to contain the railway station, the Esso service fertilizer dealership, and the grain elevators.
The society hopes to recruit more members, and has already held a few public hearings, which they said received a great turnout. Their next one is expected to be held in the spring of 2016.