First of the sesquicentennial projects with money attached to it arrives in Burlington - Spencer smith Park to benefit.

By Staff

July 5th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

The Region of Halton is going to get up to $652,054 in funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Ontario (FedDev Ontario) through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. The program is part of the federal government’s activities to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. This funding will be used for enhancements to the Spencer Smith Park portion of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park.

That sentence needs to be read carefully – the money will be spent on Spencer Smith park – not the Beachway park.

A structure that will look something like this will get built – it will be the point at which Spencer Smith Park morphs into the Beachway Park.

“I would like to thank the federal government for this investment that supports our vision to implement a world-class, signature waterfront destination in Halton,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park is part of Halton Region’s commitment to both protecting and enhancing our rich natural environment and growing a strong Regional economy.”

The funding for Spencer Smith Park will be used to enhance the waterfront trail throughout this section of the Regional Waterfront Park, provide improved seating and shaded areas for residents and visitors, update landscaping and renovate an existing gazebo. Planning for this work began in April 2016 and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2017.

The Beachway master plan removes some 25+ homes from the area and turns a wonderful natural area into what appears to be a well designed park – this is not however the first time the Beachway has been re-designed.

In 2015, Halton Regional Council approved a Master Plan to transform Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park into a unique, four-season urban waterfront experience. The park is one of the only natural sand beaches in North America located in a downtown urban context that is fully accessible to the public.

The enhancement project is one of more than 380 projects currently approved across southern Ontario through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. Get ready for an explosion of federal spending on the sesquicentennial – our 150th birthday.

Related articles:

Plans for Beachway park made public.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4