The Corporation of Hamilton officially opened its expansion of Jubilee Park yesterday, making an open space from what was once an overgrown an unused piece of land.

The nearly two-acre new section of the park, opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Minister of the Environment and Sports Elvin James, Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros and Corporation of Hamilton officials, features a small pond along with several Bermuda cedars, palm trees and St. Augustine grass.

In a press release, the Mayor said: "In a time where green, open spaces are at risk of disappearing, it is the responsibility of us all to do what we can to preserve these natural gifts. Jubilee Park has been transformed into a green space in which North Hamilton, and the broader community, can take pride."

Jubilee Park was originally opened to the public in 2002 to honour the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The new land was purchased by the Corporation of Hamilton with the intention of clearing the land to extend the park, according to Corporation of Hamilton Parks Superintendent Steven Desilva.

"We saw an opportunity to both improve the area visually and start a path system for people going from one part of the city to another," said Mr. Desilva.

Workers cleared the area of 56 truckloads of debris, including everything from tin cans to abandoned vehicles, and removed several squatters from the area to make the renovations.

Area residents have already praised the work, according to Mr. Desilva, saying that the clearing has helped reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area, which naturally collects water into a small pond.

The pond was stocked with environmentally friendly gambusia, or guppies, by the Corporation, which naturally reduce the mosquito population dramatically.

"This is a completely environmentally clean site," said Mr. Desilva.

While it will still be a few months before the trees take hold and the grass fully coats the park, Mr. Desilva says that he is incredibly proud of the work that has been done.

"It's a gift to the community of North Hamilton," he said.