IDEA Caledon’s painted picnic tables now brighten Caledon East

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following the artist-led community art project, “Paint-a-Picnic Table,” from IDEA Caledon's Family Pride Picnic, the benches have now been placed in the community.

You can find them on the Town's property on Airport Road, which was purchased as part of the revitalization and beautification of Caledon East's downtown core. 

Sandra Sharpe, Indigenous Engagement Advisor with the CAO's office and co-chair of IDEA Caledon, shared that they were happy to host the second annual Pride Family Picnic and partner with the Town on a Pride Themed Community Art Project. 

“The bright and beautifully painted picnic tables are featured in parks across Caledon and represent inclusion and community spirit,” shared Sharpe.

Sharpe said funding for the project was provided by the Region of Peel's annual municipal community pride budget.

Councillor Christina Early, representing Wards 1, 2, and 3, shared that she is proud to see the picnic tables from the IDEA Caledon Pride Picnic now installed as part of the Caledon East Revitalization Project.

“These picnic tables are more than just infrastructure, they reflect our values of inclusion, collaboration, and community pride,” said Councillor Early.

She shared the revitalization of Caledon East is a multi-year effort that brings together residents, businesses, and stakeholders, such as IDEA Caledon, to reimagine and enhance the heart of our community. 

“From infrastructure upgrades to placemaking initiatives like this one, every element is designed to make Caledon East more vibrant, welcoming, and reflective of the people who call it home,” said Councillor Early.

“Looking ahead, the Region of Peel's planned reconstruction of Airport Road and a portion of Old Church Road, set to begin in late 2025, will further support this transformation, improving safety, accessibility, and long-term growth for the area.”

Accompanying the picnic tables alongside Airport Road, residents can find QR Codes linked to “Have Your Sa,” giving an opportunity for those to offer their opinion on what they feel should be done with the future of the public square in Caledon East.

With the Airport Road improvements aimed at reducing traffic, the Region hopes to address safety concerns.

As shared at a Traffic Safety meeting last month, Peel is working with the Town to address truck traffic in the area.

Additionally, a speed reduction was approved in early 2025.

The specific area is located on Airport Road, from 250 metres south of Cranston Drive to 80 metres south of Leamster Trail, and on Old Church Road, from 40 metres west of Henry Wilson Drive to Airport Road.

With all the improvements to the road, opportunities open to improve the surrounding area.

The Downtown Caledon East Revitalization Task Force's purpose is to recommend and implement activations, events, projects, and beautification initiatives that support the revitalization of downtown Caledon East, as approved by Council, and to provide updates to Council and the public on progress made.

Giuliana Giancotta, Project Manager, Town of Caledon, said the Caledon East Revitalization Task Force is seeking public engagement for design elements for the Public Square following the purchase of the Emma Street and Airport Road parcel of land in 2024.

During Caledon Day, the task force held a pop-up public engagement booth to hear from the Caledon community.  

After speaking to nearly 600 people, the most popular suggestions for the Public Square were public seating, a shade structure or gazebo, flowers, public art and space for a community garden and annual holiday tree lighting.

“The Pride picnic table community painting project has been positively received by the community and supports our ongoing initiatives of using placemaking and public art as an opportunity to revitalize our communities.  We are so pleased to showcase the Pride picnic tables in the Public Square for residents and visitors to use all summer long.  We see this as an innovative approach to envision what could exist in the public space,” said Giancotta.

“Let us know what you think should go in the future Public Square by visiting our Have Your Say Page. Additionally, we encourage our Caledon community to let us know what they think by visiting our Have Your Say Page webpage until the end of summer.”

Councillor Doug Maskell for Ward 3 said residents have been voicing their concerns about the area for a long time and hope to see it transformed into a nice space one day.

He sees it as a future place for the community to gather and enjoy, a true downtown core.

“If the Region's project goes ahead as planned and anticipated, Airport Road is going to look incredible, so we need to have something else incredible on it,” said Councillor Maskell. 

“Through Caledon we look at what opportunities we can do to make this place look better,” he continued. “That was key for me to get that piece of land and integrate it into the downtown in some meaningful way.”