The Muncipality of Leamington is demolishing two houses to expand Chestnut Park.
The properties on Chestnut St. and Fox St. were purchased by the municipality earlier this year to promote neighbourhood revitalization.
"They are back to back properties, on the east side and west side so tearing them both down and cleaning them all up and just expanding the park was just the right thing to do," says Leamington Mayor John Paterson.
Council also approved the closure of an alley that runs through the park to improve safety.
"It's a very old neighbourhood so there's an alleyway that ran thorugh from one end of Oak St. all the way up to where ever, and right now it's running right through the middle of the park," says Paterson. "To make it safe we decided to really fence the whole thing off so it's just a nice, safe play area."
In 2014, the neighbourhood was awarded a grant by the TVO show Giver to completely rebuild the park.
Demolition of the houses is expected to be completed in short order. There are no immediate plans for additional amenities in the park but Paterson says they are not ruling that out in the future.