Length 100.7 cm x Width 19.0 cm
Chrome-plated shovel used for sod turning at the inauguration of the Polson Park Subdivision development in Kingston on June 21, 1957. There is a brass plaque mounted on the square blade of the shovel that reads 'THIS PLAQUE IS PRESENTED BY // THE HONOURABLE W. M. NICKLE Q.C // MINISTER OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT // ON BEHALF OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO // TO STUART M. POLSON // M.D. C.M. // TO COMMEMORATE THE TURNING // OF THE FIRST SOD // IN THE POLSON PARK SUBDIVISION // KINGSTON, ONTARIO // 21 JUNE 1957". "2" is stamped onto the socket of the shaft just above the blade.
Descendants of the former Kingston Mayor, Neil Polson, Dr. Stuart M. Polson and Jessie Polson represented the family at the ceremonial turning of the sod.
The development of Polson Park subdivision marks a pivotal part of Kingston's suburban growth. Between 1954 and 1962, a joint federal, provincial and municipal program established two new subdivisions; Polson Park and Calvin Park. Some 600 lots were availed on land formerly part of the Kingston Penitentiary farm. Kingston had been suffering from severe housing shortage, pockets of dilapidated housing primarily located along the waterfront, a rising population, and a shortage of land.
The predominance of modestly sized homes and bungalows in Polson Park are representative of most post WWII North American subdivisions of the time. The new neighbourhoods were designed to fashion a sense of identity and community for their inhabitants.
