On June 10, the municipality of Ormstown formalized the names of two of its parks to honour two great citizens. Lindsay-Cullen Park and Mario-Dumas Park had both been unofficial park names recognized by residents; they have now been made official, with name plaques proudly displayed at both sites.
Lindsay Cullen
The Cullen family was one of the first families established in Ormstown. Lindsay Cullen’s father, W. S. Cullen, set up a milk delivery service there in 1922. At the time he brought milk produced by his Pleasant Valley Holstein cows to no fewer than six customers, door to door by horse and cart.
By 1946, Lindsay Cullen had taken over the milk delivery service. He was an ardent supporter of Ormstown’s small but growing number of brass bands, which had been popping up since 1865. He himself was a member of the Ormstown Boy’s Band, which changed its name to the Ormstown Band after some girls joined.
The milk delivery service was sold in 1967. That same year, Cullen was offered a position as a teacher and band leader at the Chateauguay Valley School Board. With this new position, his ensemble was integrated into the school curriculum. Cullen would go on to lead the Ormstown Brass Band for many years.
Lindsay-Cullen Park, occupying land that was donated to the municipality by the Cullen family, is bordered by a stream on one side and a tennis court and children’s playground on the other. Located on Church Street, it also features a large bandstand, perfect for hosting cultural events of which there have been many.
Mario Dumas
Mario Dumas’s memory remains strong in the municipality. Dumas, a chartered accountant who passed away in 2017 at the age of 52, spent his life supporting members of his community in their various projects and developments.
As chair of the Chateauguay Valley Regional High School’s board of directors, he continued to encourage both athletic and civil participation in everyone he met. Passionate about sports, he was a personal trainer for his three daughters who played soccer.
Mario-Dumas Park is located off
Roy Street at a bend of the Chateauguay River, and Dumas’s enthusiasm for sports, especially soccer, continues to inspire the activities at the park bearing his name.
The municipality has plans to further develop both parks and offer even more options for the community.
Mario-Dumas Park will soon boast a multi-surface installation that will accommodate team sports in all seasons while continuing to host Ormstown’s most popular sport, soccer. Lindsay-Cullen Park will soon be home to a skatepark and a pickleball court. These modifications will be completed during the summer of 2021 and will offer recreational activities for all ages. (RP)
