Another public meeting will be held to talk about the future of the North Shore Park in Port Elgin.
A staff report to council this week outlined the timeline for work on the park so far, and the timeline going forward. That public meeting is planned for sometime in July.
Saugeen Shores’ 2023 budget included funding to hire a landscape architect to come up with design options and assist with public consultation on a final plan for the waterfront park north of Port Elgin’s main beach.
A proposed plan for the return of a small train in the park also continues to be explored with the proponent Scott Pearson. If it receives all the proper approvals and makes its way through the process, the goal would be to have it running by the summer of 2025.
Staff say, in addition to the September 2021 storm that downed over 70 trees in the park, the December 2022 blizzard that storm-stayed most people during the holidays also damaged 30 more trees which required removal.
Other than damaged tree removal, staff say not much else has been physically done to the park, explaining, “to ensure if the train proposal is approved, that a holistic and integrated plan for North Shore Park can be undertaken.”
However, staff say, since last summer, a considerable amount of background research has been done including a land survey, legal review, and consultation with government agencies.
In July 2022, about 60 people attended an in-person meeting to share ideas for the park. Others submitted comments to the Town as well. Community input showed strong support for the return of a train, new playground equipment (though mixed desires of size and location) support for keeping the park natural, mixed opinions over planting more trees. There was support for updating the pavilion and a strong desire for more benches and picnic tables as well as accessibility considerations.
The park project timeline currently aims to possibly make some improvement in the summer of 2024 (subject to budget approval) that could include upgrades to the pavilion, playground replacement or relocation, trail repair, shoreline stabilization, tree planting and final landscaping.
Staff say, following that, in the Fall of 2024, they would consider changing the harbour entrance, adding the train track and possibly a train building if a train is approved, and the train running by summer 2025.
Town Parks Manager Frank Burrows says the North Shore Trail park area is the busiest park in town and the trail sees about 700 people on it per day.