Confederation Park will see improvements

FERGUS – There’s a lofty vision for Confederation Park, which runs between the Grand River and Queen Street all the way to Scotland Street, and it starts with removing invasive species. 

Centre Wellington initiated a study of the Fergus park last year.

Originally a project to celebrate Canada’s centennial in 1967, it remains a well-loved and well-used trail, recreational space and natural park in the heart of Fergus.

GSP Group Inc. was hired to conduct community engagement and prepare a plan to revitalize the space in phases as funding allows.

Council heard the plan at a Feb. 9 meeting.

“Key initiatives include creating an accessible pathway, implementing evidence-based invasive species management, and introducing modest amenities in alignment with available funding and leveraged by community partnerships,” states a report by parks manager Lucas Rogerson.

After much community engagement and consultation with Indigenous communities, the key takeaways are:

• the community wants the park to remain natural;
• parts of it at least should be accessible with seating and signage; and
• access to the Grand River, for boat launches and fishing, should be improved.

Mandy Cadger, landscape architecture manager at GPS, said participants of the community engagement sessions also want an accessible ramp from the Queen Street parking lot, a new outlook for bird watchers in the middle of the site, and for the rotting boardwalk to be replaced.

There was also a desire for:

• the park trail to connect with other active transportation routes;
• parking lots at each end be improved, and
• shade pavilions to be added in the future.

“The community cares deeply about this space,” said Cadger.

Her report recommends completing the projects in three phases.

The first would cost about $214,000 and include removing invasive species and some vegetation, replacing the boardwalk and enhancing seating and signage. It would also include consultant fees and assessments.

Phase two would cost $377,000 and include upgrades to parking and an accessible ramp at the Queen Street entrance, an end-to-end pathway, and upgrades at the Scotland Street trail head and parking lot.

Phase three, at $370,000, would see some construction projects – picnic pavilions at both ends of the trail, play and gathering features, a lookout deck and non-motorized boat launch.

Phase one lays the foundation for future projects “focusing first on studies that will inform the design of new park features, stewardship of the land and removing  and replacing as needed,” the GPS report states.

The second phase should be completed in the next five years and phase three within 10 years, the report recommends.

Rogerson said staff will look to activate phase one this year. 

“There is $150,000 in the capital budget for this,” he said.

Managing director of community services Adam Gilmore said staff will discuss with community partners the possibility of donations.

“We think we can make up the gap in funding,” he said.

Council voted in favour of the report recommendations.