EMSB and Borough of Anjou to inaugurate new park

-

Montreal, October 9, 2026- The Montreal Borough of Anjou and the English Montreal School Board will formally inaugurate the new and inclusive Parc-école Spalding, located on the grounds of Dalkeith Elementary School. on Tuesday, October 13 (4 pm)

Borough Mayor Luis Miranda and EMSB officials, as well as parents and members of the community, will be on hand for the ceremony.

“We are so pleased to have entered into this partnership with the Borough of Anjou,” commented EMSB Chair Joe Ortona.

The result of this  partnership  has resulted in a universally accessible space  designed to serve both students and the entire Anjou community. This major and accessible redevelopment will provide the neighborhood with a public space that is greener, more welcoming, and better suited to the needs of residents of all ages.

Dalkeith's support dogs Kira and Jessie check out the new park.

This project is the result of a partnership between the borough and the EMSB, which owns the land on which the special-education school for children with special needs is located. This collaboration ensures that the school park is designed with a strong focus on inclusivity from the outset.

A budget of $3.4 million has been allocated for the overall development of the site, the removal of pavement from the street, and the installation of new infrastructure. Part of the funding comes from the City’s participatory budget; the project was supported by citizens’ votes during the second and third rounds of the participatory budget process, which clearly demonstrates the community’s support.

“For a school that has been serving students with special needs since its opening in 1961, having a shared play area that encourages play for children with a variety of strengths and challenges is a natural fit in many respects,” says Principal John Wright.  “Our ongoing partnership with Anjou, in this project as in others, can only benefit the entire community.”

A Sustainable Environment

The project also highlights the large, mature trees that form the park’s canopy, a central element of the site’s identity. The existing community garden has been preserved and renovated. Spalding Street was transformed into new green spaces featuring plantings, where a stormwater management system was also installed. These initiatives aim to enhance local biodiversity, reduce paved surfaces, and improve the neighborhood’s quality of life.

A school park is a space shared between a school and the community: it serves as a playground reserved for students during school hours and as a public park outside of those hours. In this project, the area on the Dalkeith School grounds has been fenced off for students during the day and will be opened to the public in the evenings, on weekends, and during school breaks. The borough will be responsible for maintenance and enforcement. In fact, a 20-year renewable lease has been signed with the EMSB.

There are nine play structures, one sports field, one large community garden and one restroom facility.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 33,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.

-30-

 

Contact:

Michael J. Cohen

Manager,   Marketing and Communications

English Montreal School Board

mcohen@emsb.qc.ca

Popular posts from this blog

EMSB recognizes employees for 25 years of service

-
Image
For the first time in four years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the  English Montreal School Board resumed its traditional Long Service reception to honour  employees with 25 years of service at Le Crystal in St. Laurent.   A total of 136 employees, ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff, were recognized for a quarter century of service.  This year EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos, honored those employees with a letter of congratulations and Monarch watches.  “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff, " he said. You can see our photo album here . This year's  honourees were: Angela Spagnolo (fourth from the right) with commissioners and EMSB officials. From the central head office : Angela Spagnolo and Rick David from AEVS; Markela Zyglakis from the Office of the Director General; Annik Malenfant from...
Read more

EMSB recognizes employees with 25 years of service

-
Image
Edward Murphy Elementary School Principal Christina Chilelli is congratulated. Montreal, May 23, 2025 - English Montreal School Board Director General Nicholas Katalifos and EMSB Chair, Joe Ortona, honored the employees with; “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff.”  The honored employees also received a token of appreciation for their years of service. You can see all of the photos taken by Nur Erdem here This year's  honourees are, from the Administration Building; Caroline Dupuis, Immacolata Ienaro from Educational Services; Isabelle Dion and Heleine Lefebvre Human Resources; Kris Bennett and David Verrillo Information Technology Services; Brigida Sellato from the Office of the Secretary General; and Paola Borzone from Student Services. From Adult Education & Vocational Centres; Hoda Fayed from AEVS Department; Frédéric Boudreault from HSM; Ti...
Read more

A look at some of the prominent Hampstead Elementary School grads on the occasion of anniversary number 100

-
Image
Montreal, September 2, 2025 – On Tuesday, September 2 the English Montreal School Board marked the first day of classes with a 100th anniversary assembly at Hampstead Elementary School. In attendance were  a  number of prominent graduates Here is a look at some  of these indivduals. Jonathan Wener “A good education, a good environment and good peer groups can ignite your future,” says real estate mogul Jonathan Wener.  Looking back on Mr.  Wener’s career, it is clear he benefitted from all three. Jon and Pam Wener and Andee Shuster. From a young age, Mr. Wener was drawn to entrepreneurship. As a teenager, he delivered newspapers for the Montral Gazette to earn extra money. He also learned the value of hard work from his father, who worked in clothing manufacturing. While he had “plenty of exposure” to the industry, Mr. Wener knew it wasn’t the right path for him. While studying for his bachelor’s degree in commerce at Concordia University, Mr. Wener began workin...
Read more