Vankleek Hill architect Denis Séguin is at it again. The architect, who works at HOK in Ottawa (a design, architecture, engineering and planning firm) wanted to get the ball rolling by offering a draft design idea for the park to be created beside Vankleek Hill’s post office, on Main Street.

The lot has been acquired by Champlain Township (it purchased the property for about $69,000) and one priority for the property is the relocation of the cenotaph from its current location in from of Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute.

Séguin’s plan includes three sections: one for the cenotaph, which provides an area for reflection and a second space for Canada 150, which would include a maple tree and the third section, closest to the trees, which would include what Séguin refers to as the “festive tree”, which has already been planted on the empty lot.

Allowing for a snowbank space at the front of the lot, the edge of the park fronting on the sidewalk would include a Victorian white fence border.

When we say Séguin is at it again, we are referring to his previous pro bono design contributions to the Vankleek Hill community, which include the Champlain Township library makeover, the Higginson Tower restoration design, the L’Orignal cenotaph re-design and his ongoing work at the Vankleek Hill Historical Museum.

Séguin referred to the easements which run along the park property (about 34 inches along each side) and said that because the park was long and narrow, he thought he would design a park with some distinct sections.

Along with a powerpoint presentation for council, Séguin said he had created a quick three-dimensional model, which he showed to council.

No funds have been set aside for the project yet, but Séguin said he had just drawn up this plan as a starting point and mentioned that it could be done in phases.

Séguin will be sharing this plan at the next Vankleek Hill Business and Merchant Association (BMA) meeting; discussion at the previous BMA meeting had mentioned the possibility of a town map installed at the park, which could be modified if businesses relocated or new businesses open up shop. That meeting takes place in the Archie Hardy Hall at Knox Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25.