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The youth led transformation of Thunder Bay’s Picton Park will be showcased on a TVO program scheduled to air this week.

The project was a joint effort by Sinking Ship Entertainment, the City’s Parks Division, the Picton, Blucher, Windsor Community Action Group, The Boys and Girls Club, and neighbourhood residents.

Werner Schwar, Coordinator, Park Planning for the City says, “the redevelopment of Picton Park through community engagement was truly a unique experience. It was amazing to be a part of such a diverse group of people coming together and all taking pride in their neighbourhood and helping to create a space that has a unique sense of place.”

A television crew from the TVO show Giver documented the design and construction of a new playground at Picton Park during a visit to Thunder Bay last summer. Six local youth age six to 12 who live near the park helped design the playground, which was then constructed by a crew of local volunteers assisted by contractors and the six youths.

The Giver episode focusing on Picton Park will air twice on TVO this month:

Wednesday, May 14 – 6:30 pm
Saturday, May 17 – 2 pm

Giver won the 2013 Youth Media Alliance Award of Excellence for “Best Television Program, All Genres, Ages 6-8.” In addition, the show was nominated for “Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series” at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards.