We Got A Lot Done Ward 1!

The Playground at West Park never reopened after the COVID closure. 

The equipment was at the end of its life. It was time for new!

Year-over-year, West Park saw investment!

A new baseball-inspired playground was installed along with a pathway. Families have enjoyed it ever since! 

Additionally, new picnic tables and dozens of plantings have been added to help make the park better for everyone. 

Wondering if West Park is back on the planning table? Yes, it is! 

Get the latest update and have your say.

This project, like many others, had been delayed due to COVID. Local Homeowners Anne and Todd reached out to request help getting the final pavement layer completed. 

Thanks to the reminder, the work was completed by the local builder. This is a great example of when we know,  we can act!

I met Rhoda at Glenwoods Plaza and heard about her local park. She explained that there was often standing water in the open space. After visiting Hollywood Park, Rhoda was right about the water conidtions.

 I requested a staff review.

Soon, the stormwater system was cleared out, and the proper water channel was recreated. Also, the old basketball net was removed. Now the water flows better, and the green space is re-established. 

What do you see in the future for this space?

It took a few years to get the regular maintenance and plantings on the Queensway boulevard. I want to thank everyone who I visited on Haskins and everyday passersby for your patience.

We worked with our development and builder partners to upgrade the area, and have new turf and gardens planted. 

The overall area is better, but there is more to do!

What do you think we could do with boulevard areas?

Charlotte and Frank have lived near this path for over 40 years. Frank used to help clean the area up, but now a days it harder for him. 

They shared their concern for the lost level of care. I could see it too. 

With the couple helping me understand the gap in care, I was able to work with staff on year-over-year improvements, including a wider path clearing, a better trail and an added P-arm. The outcome is better care for the trailhead, while respecting the naturalized features.

One of the key drainage channels on Lake Drive South was in need of repair. Working with Terry and Mark, staff were able to clear out the invasive plants and shore up the waterway connection.

Although this work held up Terry and Mark's driveway upgrade, working together, it became a well-timed project, delivering better area drainage, and Terry and Mark got that new driveway too!

Homeowner Rhonda reached out with concerns over the changes in the canal area of the lake. It was getting harder for her, her family, and neighbours to travel on and enjoy the waterway. 

Late-summer duckweed had taken over!

This became one of the more complex files I have worked on. I learned about the multi-jurisdictional connection; in other words, many people had a stake in ownership, how it functioned, how it was maintained, and its effect on its health.  

There is much more to this story: starting with community action!

The water connections along Lake Dr South had come to the end of their life. Much like what Bayview and Hollywood had gone through, it was time for Lake dr. They say good things come to those who wait; it was a long year that had its bumps!

Construction is never easy. The record snow and rainfall of 2026 added several underground areas to be washed out. In the end, all connections passed the one-year inspection; aggregate was added, and the new road was paved, the shoulders were topped up, and new markings completed. This will be a road we can all enjoy for many years to come!

I started spending more time looking at our parks, paths and public spaces on the ground. I wanted to see what people were seeing, not just what was listed in a report.  When I found the linkage between Tampa and Annshiela, I knew this there was a lot of room for improvment!

The goal was practical: recognize the path's potential,  work on clearing brush to improve the connection, safety, accessibility and comfort over time. Additionally, residents have been surveyed regarding adding lights to the path. Let's see what the local folks want!

If you live lakeside or in the framing area in Ward 1, you live with ditches - love them or hate them, they are a part of our water-cleaning system and vital for a healthier lake. In the past, often one-off and smal ditch fixes was common place. 

 We have changed the way we correct the ditch network! You may live on street or go by the new ditch projects, and notice that they are expansive, by fixing long lines. This move to bigger projects lines helps the whole area drain better, and supports water flow.