The new year means considerable work on the former CN lands in downtown Palmerston.
Last month, Minto councillors received notice of plans for the park via the CN land rehabilitation committee. At that time, Lions Park chairman Glen Hall reviewed the plans for this year.
The club wants to extend the trail from the main park entrance, back through the park. In addition, it hopes to be able to install lighting along the path from the L&M store past the splash pad.
Further, the committee plans to work on the garden and landscaping plan and the planting of trees.
With an overall cost of $85,000, about $40,000 would be part of a budget allocation from the town of Minto.
The committee also talked about the proposed educational and multi-use building, though it was made clear at the meeting that there are few sources of alternative funding. With a projected design cost of $27,000, the building itself could cost $200,000.
Although Trillium grant funding was suggested, councillor Wayne Martin noted that program is mainly for rehabilitation and equipping existing buildings.
Mayor David Anderson and Martin have planned a meeting with Trillium Foundation officials this month to look at options.
The meeting also introduced Sean Kelly, of Stempski, Kelly & Associations, and members of Minto’s Communities in Bloom and trees committees.
Kelly was there to provide a look at the current streetscape project in downtown Palmerston and how it pertains to the Main Street and William Street entrances to the Lions Heritage Park. He recommended planting trees in front of the L&M parking lot to provide more focus to the park entrance.
He also believes a decision should be made about the primary entrance to the park – either Main or William Street.
The report considered the varied styles of streetlighting and fixtures as causing visual fragmentation, and Kelly recommended the purchase of premium “buy once” equipment as the most economical in the long run, and providing better value.
Bob McEachern questioned the best approach to attract traffic from the Teviotdale area, and wondered if rumble strips might work.
Kelly instead suggested the idea of traffic calming through patterned asphalt and features such as non-functioning railway crossing arms, in addition to improved signs noting Palmerston is the home of Canada’s longest pedestrian railway bridge.
Committee members suggested the use of the railroad theme for the entire downtown would serve to differentiate Palmerston from other small Ontario towns.
During the meeting Hall said the Lions Club hopes the park will be developed as an activity location and not just as a flower garden.
The Lions Club intends to bring its complete plans to council later this month.
