The return of a train to Port Elgin’s North Shore park and keeping the park natural are key takeaways from consultation with the community on the future of the park.
An update from Saugeen Shores municipal staff to council is set for Monday (August 8th) that outlines consultation results.
The Town had been looking for feedback after a storm in September 2021 knocked down a significant number of trees the on the waterfront property near the harbour.
Town staff held online and in person consultations to gather people’s opinions and suggestions about the park. About 60 people attended the in-person consultation July 7th and 18 people commented through an online portal. There were numerous handwritten comments as well as comments on Facebook. Some respondents submitted lengthy, detailed suggestions.
Staff say there is strong support for the train returning to the park, concerns with pedestrian and train safety, strong desire for keeping the park natural, support for new playground equipment, mixed desires for playground size and location, support to update the pavilion, support to relocate access to the north harbour parking lot as well as more traffic calming measures, trail improvements, desire for more benches, picnic tables and picnic areas, consideration for reflection and contemplation areas, and a note that accessibility is critical in all aspects of the park and amenities.
Some other ideas people submitted included adding barbecue stations to the park, more than one entrance/exit from the north harbour parking lot, adding mini golf, adding hammocks, art, offering games and activity spaces and photo op and sunset viewing areas, three respondents wanted ‘geese mitigation’, others suggested butterfly gardens and bird feeding areas.
The staff report says the results of the Community Consultation will help them create a plan for the North Shore Park.
They say recommendations for park enhancements will be presented for Council consideration in future Business Plans and Budget Programs.
Meanwhile, another staff update says they have been working with the owner of the old steam train from the 1970s, Scott Pearson who approached the Town in late 2021 with a proposal to bring the original steam train back to the Park.
Council supported staff discussing the possibility with Pearson and including the idea in community consultations.
They say 63 per cent of respondents specifically supported the return of the train. The report says next steps on that matter will include investigating approvals, permit requirements, site plan and land use logistics and then develop a formal proposal for council’s eventual consideration.