Grant to be used to spruce up Aberfoyle, Morriston

ABERFOYLE – Puslinch  has received a grant from the Rural Ontario Development program worth almost $60,000, which will go to beautification projects in Aberfoyle and Morriston.

The township will use the grant, along with $70,000 ($35,000 in each of 2026 and 2027) from Wellington County’s Business Retention and Expansion fund and about $40,000 from township reserves, to install benches, planters, placemaking signage and two large murals in the two hamlets.

Council learned on March 4 about the successful grant, which must be spent by March 2027.

Also on March 4 was a public open house related to two matters: a proposed updated community improvement plan and updated urban design guidelines, where public input was sought on the style of benches, lighting fixtures, paving designs and signage that should be used in projects throughout the township.

These features through Aberfoyle and Morriston aim to add character and beautify the hamlets, signal to drivers they are travelling through a residential community (and should slow down), and hopefully encourage travellers to stop their cars and spend some time there, officials say.

Design guidelines will also enhance the existing heritage buildings in the two urban centres.

With funding now in place, the design choices can be ordered and installed once the urban design guidelines are finalized and approved.

Sean Kelly, a principal at Plural, the consultants leading the open house, said it’s hard to make a highway look beautiful.

But it’s worth it, he said, to take the time and consider a look that’s consistent and easy to maintain.

Once the Morriston bypass is complete, commuter traffic through the hamlets is expected to be greatly reduced, making the communities even more desirable for day trippers.

“If you want businesses to come and shoppers to come, you have to make it look cute,” Kelly said.

As for the community improvement program, the township is contemplating adding more categories to encourage businesses and homeowners to improve their properties.

New grant categories under consideration are:

– licensed home child care;

– accessibility improvement;

– commercial conversion/interior leasehold improvement;

– planning and building fees;

– facade signage and landscape improvement;

– building improvement;

– building conversion and expansion;

– motor vehicle and bicycle parking; and

– tax increment equivalent.

About 20 people showed up for the open house. About 30 came to a similar meeting in November.