Roundel projects take root at Military Heritage Park in Barrie

The completion of two projects along Barrie’s waterfront marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force was celebrated Thursday morning at Military Heritage Park.

The floral roundabouts and pavers were made in partnership with RCAF and Trees for Life.

“Here, so close to the birthplace of the RCAF (at CFB Borden), you have put together a truly wonderful tribute,” said Lt. Edith Dumont.

“Pilots will fly and see their own logos, and the rest of us will have a beautiful scene to stand or sit and look up at the planets, heavens and stars, and both groups will be reminded of the remarkable history of the RCAF . ,” she added.

Dumont was referring to a tulip garden in the shape of an RCAF roundel—a blue outer circle, white inner circle with a red maple leaf—as well as a brick spread, also in the shape of an Air Force roundel, along one of the alleys of the park.

“It’s one that the people of Barrie will enjoy for many, many years to come,” Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said of the laid bricks. “I hope everyone gets a chance to spend some time here.”

The RCAF paverstone roundel project is located on the eastern boundary of the Military Heritage Park, has a central paverstone maple leaf and has 13 red maple trees planted around the site, representing Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, as well as 100 shrubs of laurel, representing 100 years of RCAF.

The planting was done with the help of the local Air Cadet Squadron 102. The design of the rotunda includes six custom benches, created and donated by the Lepp family, made from reclaimed wood from the former CFB Rivers, which was Air Navigation School No. 1 from Manitoba.

The RCAF floral rotunda is planted in blue and red annual flowers separated by white decorative rock to convey the colors of the RCAF emblem. It is more than 10 meters in diameter and is located next to the footbridge near the Southshore Centre.

The roundel projects were funded in part by Veterans Affairs Canada.

The completion of the roundel project comes amid a number of significant military anniversaries this year, including the 100th anniversary of the RCAF and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.