The grounds of historic Mackenzie Hall in Windsor's Sandwich Town will get plenty of hands-on attention from a student in St. Clair College's Landscape Horticulture program thanks to a scholarship from community stakeholders.
David Piper-Clark will serve as the landscape steward at Mackenzie Hall, a building constructed in 1855 by Canada's second prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie.
Piper-Clark is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship provided this year by the Windsor Port Authority in partnership with The Friends of the Court for Mackenzie Hall. He will work alongside city staff to ensure the landscaping around the property is befitting of the treasured landmark.
"For almost a decade, this program has provided our Landscape Horticulture students with the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by, the talented and knowledgeable staff of the City's Parks Department," said St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi. "For the College, it has provided us with the opportunity to work in conjunction with The Friends of the Court to beautify this landmark property for the enjoyment of all Sandwich Town residents and, indeed, for all those passing along the western entranceway to the city."
The horticulture scholarship began in 2016 when The Friends of the Court indicated a need for more attention to the aging property; ivy was encroaching and overwhelming the building, and Virginia creeper was smothering bushes and trees. Between existing City resources and the addition of the horticulture student, the issues were brought under control, and the area has never looked better.
"Our storied Mackenzie Hall in historic Sandwich Town is one of our community's true gems," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. "It has been wonderful to see this initiative build on solid partnerships between the city and various community partners; and to watch the spin-off impacts of this work in the neighbourhood."
The city has invested significantly in Mackenzie Hall and its surrounding grounds, including Mary E. Bibb Park, over the years, supporting its preservation, restoration efforts, and ongoing programming.
Pictured left to right: St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi, Prof. Jason Milling, student David Piper-Clark and Prof. Sandy MacDonald on June 11, 2025. (John Fairley/St. Clair College)
"This space is a living link between our legal past and our artistic present, as a former courthouse and jail, and a present-day cultural centre," said Mayor Dilkens. "This landscaping initiative has helped improve a special and unforgettable space in the heart of West Windsor that is a key piece of our city's history."
Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino said the multi-level partnership between the city, College and community partners has been a win for all parties on many levels.
"From David's hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity for the City's Parks and Horticulture teams to guide the work, to the beautification of the grounds surrounding Mackenzie Hall and the broader positive impacts for Sandwich Town, I'm thankful for the effort, commitment, skill, and vision that has brought this initiative to life in Ward 2 each year," Coun. Agostino said. "On behalf of City Council, I commend everyone here for their role in helping keep these grounds in the showcase quality they are."
St. Clair College professor of Horticulture Sandy MacDonald said it's an incredible experiential learning opportunity for students to practice and hone their landscape maintenance skills.
"We always seek a student who is diligent and keen, with a great work ethic," Prof. MacDonald said. "Our consideration is also toward someone who can work independently and troubleshoot small issues as they occur; someone whose friendly personality means that he can communicate well with the public and individuals involved with this project."
"This year's student, David Piper-Clark, exhibits all these characteristics and is positively considered within our department," said MacDonald. "We have great confidence in his abilities to complete this opportunity with careful diligence and we know that he will do an outstanding job."
"As with other students from our College who have been fortunate to participate in such a unique program, we expect that this experience will add to their progress towards a very successful career in horticulture."
