Van Walleghem Park Pathway

We are in the process of implementing some changes at Van Walleghem Park to make the area safer, more ecologically sustainable, and more accessible.

The most visible change is the installation of a granular pathway that connects the school and residential area on the west side of the park with the footbridge in an accessible, easily maintained way.

We understand the new path has raised some questions, and potentially created some concerns for area residents and others who regularly use the park. We hope this information helps mitigate some of those worries while illustrating how these changes are best in the long run for both the park and park users.

• Erosion of the hill's southwest side has long been a problem, creating muddy conditions along the hill and depositing debris onto the footbridge. The new planting and retaining walls will stop the erosion (which was caused by traffic on that portion of the hill) and help preserve the hill for years to come.
• While the new features eliminate access to the southwest side of the hill, we are not impacting any other parts of the hill and encourage residents to continue using the remaining areas for sledding, cycling, and other activities. (The new features will actually make it safer for sledders, who will no longer risk riding right onto, or into, the bridge.)
• The new path will create a more direct route from the west side of the park to the bridge, avoiding the necessity to walk down the steep hill to access the other side of the pond. This will also prevent further erosion.
• The new pathway is granular, which means it is made of limestone pieces that create a surface which is easy for us to maintain in both summer and winter months. It will not crack like asphalt, and will be easy to clear of snow.
• Some new trees will be planted in the area between the path and neighbouring houses, which will provide some privacy for the residents.

View the landscape plans for reference