The Ross Houston Memorial Park
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The Ross Houston Memorial Park  Mr. Ross Houston (1904 – 1972) Ross Houston was born on February 24, 1904 in Caledon Township. He married Annie Mae Rowan on April 7th 1928 in Acton where they lived and farmed.They moved to Lisle in 1955 where the Houston Family operated the General Store and Mrs. Houston acted as Post Master, while Mr. Houston was the mail courier. Mr. Houston also took an active part in the Lisle Community serving on the Community Hall Board and serving in a management capacity for the Lisle Baseball Team during the 1960's. In later years Mr. Houston umpired ball games for Lisle. On July 30, 1972 Mr. Houston had just finished umpiring a baseball game at the Lisle Park when he collapsed on the diamond and died of a heart attack. In 1979 when the Township of Tosorontio purchased land for a new baseball field, it was a unanimous consent of the committee to name the park in honour of Ross Houston. The new facility was officially opened in June of 1981 with the unveiling of a plaque "The Ross Houston Memorial Park 1980". Today the Ross Houston Memorial Park is one of the nicest and best maintained parks in the area. This is due of course, to the many hours that volunteers have spent to raise funds, construct the buildings and to maintain the playing field. "Official opening of Lisle Park" Held official opening ceremonies for 'Ross Houston Memorial Park'Official opening of the Ross Houston Memorial Park took place at Lisle on Saturday afternoon with several digitaries and members of the late Mr. Houston's family present for the occasion. The brand new baseball facility and children's playground was created by the Township of Tosorontio and volunteer input from the community. Acting as master of ceremonies was former Tosorontio reeve Jim Elder and currently chairman of the township's recreation committee. He commended those local residents who raised over $4,000 for the project with a walk-a-thon and dance. Mr. Elder introduced Dave Ball, who finished first in the walk-a-thon; Gord Dunn, who raised the most money; and Bud Anderson, who was the last one to complete the walk. Any worthwhile project must have local input and spearheading the undertaking of the new park facility was Dave Young and Bud Anderson along with a host of volunteers. Also coming in for commendation was Tom Anderson for the drafting out of the ball diamond. It was noted that the name chosen for the new park - the Ross Houston Memorial Park 1980 - was an unanimous choice of the committee. Taking part in the official ribbon-cutting ceremonies were Simcoe County Warden John Fennell, Dufferin-Simcoe M.L.A. George McCague, Wellington-Dufferin-Peel M.P. Perrin Beatty, Tosorontio Township Reeve James Wales, former Tosorontio Recreation Committee chairman Gary Johnson and Annie Houston, widow of the late Ross Houston. All had a few words to say, and most paid tribute to the fine new facility and both Mr. Beatty and Mr. McCague presented the township with flags and best wishes on behalf of their respective governments. A suitable plaque naming the park was also unveiled by Mrs. Houston, who was assisted by three members of her family, sons Jim and Bill and daughter Barbara. - The Creemore Star, Wed. July 1, 1981 (Official opening on Sat. June 27, 1981)    Anderson Pavilion  In 2002/2003 the Lisle Recreation Committee with funding from the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio built a Pavilion at the Ross Houston Memorial Park. It was officially opened on Sunday July 27, 2003. Anderson Pavilion was a unanimous choice from the committee in recognition of the efforts of David and Scott Anderson who have spent many hours improving and maintaining this facility. However, Anderson Pavilion also represents the contributions of the entire Anderson family from Bud Anderson who looked after the old park and assisted in the creation of the new park to Tom Anderson, who drafted the layout of the park and spent many years maintaining it. Three generations of Anderson's have made it a tradition to maintain the ball field in Lisle in addition to Bud, Tom and Scott all playing baseball for Lisle. |
