At Committee of the Whole last week, Council approved the recommendation for:
- The demolition of George Street School
- To begin the public consultation process for the design of the park
- To proceed with the process to rezone the George Street property through a public planning process.
This passed with a 5-1 vote (Councillor Gaertner opposed and Councillor Gilliland was absent). This recommendation will need to be ratified at Council at the end of the month.
The vision – as per the draft conceptual drawing, includes the creation of a new park for which public consultation will soon begin to gather input from the community. This will ensure that the park is tailored to the needs and preferences of local residents as well as the community at large. Key elements under consideration include playgrounds, green spaces, walking paths, and recreational facilities.
In addition to the park, the recommendation is to begin a public planning process. This public process will ensure that any changes to zoning regulations reflect community interests and promote balanced development. The vision for the proposed housing will be designed to complement the park and surrounding neighbourhood, providing much-needed residential options while maintaining the area’s character. Residents will have ample opportunity to provide feedback and contribute to discussions through the public planning process on how the site can best serve the community.
This approach is one that will provide much needed parkland in Ward 2 in a fiscally responsible way, as the Town will recoup some of the costs associated with the purchase and the park’s development.
The vision for a new park and compatible housing development will enhance the community’s quality of life and create a welcoming environment for current and future residents. Stay tuned for updates on the consultation and planning processes, as we shape the future of George Street and our new park. #LeadershipThatGetsThingsDone
3 Responses
Just today I saw approximately a dozen young people actively enjoying the playing field. I observed them arriving on foot, staying for well over an hour, participate in physical sports activities, and then leave on foot. They were making good use of the existing “playing field”, accessing it on foot and by bicycle! This playing field provides a generally accessible opportunity for area youth to partake in outdoor sports and activities!
This is a great idea. Just wondering if there’s the possibility of adding access from Kennedy St W via a trail along Tannery Creek?
There is a trail there already. However, there is a recurring problem after every substantial rainfall .. with surface flooding from the hillside to the west. Perhaps a raised wooden boardwalk over the impacted area would facilitate pedestrian access and allow continued drainage of runoff from the west and toward the creek.