The city of Thorold will host a meeting for the general public to provide feedback on three proposed designs for the Battle of Beaverdams Park this Thursday, Jan. 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall, 3540 Schmon Parkway.
According to Mayor Terry Ugulini, the meeting is being held “Because anytime we bring in a new plan, we want public input in the process.”
The idea to update the park originated with the Parks, Trails & Recreation committee, which includes Ugulini among its members. The committee “made recommendations to council,” explained Ugulini, “including a master plan.”
Making “better use of the park” and bringing an awareness of the park itself are both critical issues that need to be addressed, stated member Tony Vandermaas.
While volunteering to sell tickets at last summer’s second Blues in the Park event, he was told by people—including Thorold residents—that they had no idea the park even existed.
This lack of awareness, in part, stems from the fact that people accessing the park via the Clairmont Street entrance are met by a long, low brick wall, he said.
“Some people think it’s a cemetery.”
Making sight lines more visible into the park itself—by replacing the brick wall with see-through wrought iron structures—is a main recommendation. Removing the wall could also help reduce crime and makeshift tents that are habitually erected by people who spend the night there, he added.
Playing up on the park’s rich heritage is another important consideration.
Not only did part of the Welland Canal once flow through it—the dugout lock portion still plainly visible beneath the tiered built-in seating—but the park is also home to many significant historical signposts, including a Thorold time capsule/cairn, tributes to Laura Secord and her descendants, as well as war and nautical markers, and others.
Incorporating them all into one section has also been recommended, said Vandermaas, “Because they are scattered all over.”
Included in the design, “There may be some sort of feature to draw attention to the fact that it’s a former lock.”
For decades, the park has been home to weekly summertime concerts, hosted by the Thorold Reed Band.
Making it “more conducive to putting chairs in for concerts” is also being considered.
In addition, “upgrading the washrooms and making them more accessible” must be included.
The city budgeted $15,000 for a consultant, and the design contract was awarded to Shift Landscape Architecture in September, at a cost of $14,350 + HST.
After viewing the three distinct conceptual drawings at the meeting, Ugulini said, “People might want parts of all three. Most likely, it will be a combination of all three” that are incorporated into the final plan.
Stakeholders, agencies, and interested members of the public will have an opportunity to meet with staff and the design team to discuss the design options and provide feedback related to the three designs. This input will be consolidated into one final conceptual design to be presented to city council at a later date.
Anyone who is unable to attend the public meeting but wishes to provide input is advised to contact Curtis Dray, manager of community services at 905-227-1911, or by e-mailing [email protected]
