The City of Brantford has started the next steps in the development of the biggest new community park to be built in Brantford in the last one hundred years.
The vision for the new Arrowdale Community Park is to create a welcoming and inclusive space that caters to the diverse needs and interests of our residents. The new park will be a hub of activity, offering something for everyone – from serene green spaces to exciting new recreational amenities that can be enjoyed year-round.
While neighbourhood parks serve the immediate neighbourhood, community parks provide for multiple neighbourhoods as they are larger in scale and include more varied, high-quality amenities such as a splash pad, multi-use courts, a skatepark, cycling, water features, public art, gardens, picnic shelters, landmark monuments, walking trails, nature appreciation, bird watching, sitting areas, and a venue to host celebrations and activities such as “Movie Nights in the park.”
Completed to date
In late 2022, the City completed the first phase of construction of a new dog park on the south side of the property along Elgin Street, that includes fencing, seeding, gravel pathways and signage. The second phase of the dog park construction, set to begin in the next two weeks, includes a concrete entrance area, asphalt pathways, benches and landscaping. The City has also constructed a temporary parking lot to accommodate user parking for those that intend to use the park for leisurely recreational activities such as walking or tobogganing in the winter.
Archeological Field Investigation
Consistent with the City’s commitment to conduct a thorough archeological assessment of the park lands, and together with field monitors representing Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), the first three stages of the archeological review have been conducted and final approval of the reports are expected in September. Stage Four of the review will begin in October, followed by an update to the design of the park that will take into consideration all feedback received throughout all stages of the archeological investigation. Construction of the park is expected to begin in April 2024 and completed by year’s end. City staff will work diligently to ensure minimal disruptions to the surrounding area, prioritizing safety and efficiency throughout the project.
Funds from the sale of portion of 282 Stanley St. lands
As per the direction of Council, and consistent with the ongoing acute need for affordable housing in our community, funds from the sale of the lands were invested in affordable housing to expedite implementation of the City’s Housing Master Plan, that identifies the need for an additional 845 affordable housing units to be built over the next 10 years by the municipality and non-profits. The City’s approved Housing Plan calls for at least $55M as well as additional funding from the CMHC Co-investment fund and debt financing to meet these requirements.
The revenue from the sale of a portion of the Arrowdale lands will assist in funding the development of a new senior’s building at 346 Shellard Lane. Additional development opportunities will be funded from ongoing annual property taxes from the sold Arrowdale lands, all with the goal of achieving affordable housing targets that will make a huge difference in the quality of life of those who are waiting for affordable housing.
