Last week, the municipality held an Open House featuring displays prepared by Landscape Planning Architects illustrating some conceptual plans for park development in the vacant parkland behind the CMCC and in downtown Millbrook.
As landscape architects, their work relates solely to outdoor recreation features: they do not consider potential indoor facilities. This project includes six key components: data gathering and analysis; initial stakeholder engagement; conceptual site layout; public engagement and outreach; preliminary site plan development and final site plans. The Open House showcased the conceptual site layouts and was the first opportunity to gather public feedback.
The first project is the development of the parkland beside the CMCC. There were three concepts for this space, including additional parking of roughly 130 places in each option, four Pickleball courts, between two and four beach volleyball courts, two or three shade structures, a tennis court and a multi-use court. Two versions also include a concrete skatepark. The price estimates for a complete build-out of these projects with all the amenities range from $5.7 million to $7 million. Further along in the process the costs of these features will be itemized to help the community rank these amenities.
The second project addresses the Millbrook Arena land. In early 2023, Council directed Staff to commence planning for the creation of a community park on the Millbrook Arena land. Council also confirmed that existing users of the Millbrook Arena would be permitted to use the existing facility in its current state until the final plans for the community park are approved by Council or if use of the facility became a health and safety concern.
The creation of a signature downtown park or civic square is projected to become a focal point and gathering space for the community in the centre of Millbrook. The three concept plans for this property all feature a washroom building, a picnic area, at least one shade structure, a playground and green open spaces. Parking spaces range from 33 to 70, and two concepts include a performance stage. The estimated costs range for a complete build-out of all amenities in these plans range from $4.6 to $4.9 million.
As part of the engagement strategy for this project, the consultant will reach out to various downtown groups/association and residents of the community to gain insight as to what facilities are most appealing. The consultant confirms that there will be plenty of opportunity to provide input both in person and online. At the moment there is an online portal available through the township website online called Connect Cavan Monaghan on the township website at www.cavanmonaghan.net/en/things-to-do/downtown-park.aspx for the downtown park and www.cavanmonaghan.net/en/things-to-do/development-of-remaining-lands-at-cmcc.aspx
There is no timeline to implement any of these plans as presented or in their entirety: the objective is to identify potential amenities that could become part of these properties and to receive feedback from residents about how they would rank these possible park features. This is a step forward in the Vision 2035 – Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan that was introduced last year. These concepts represent potential improvements that could be gradually implemented over the next ten years if and when Council finds support and funding for specific features of these plans.
To put this in perspective, last week’s budget documents reflected a Parkland Reserve balance (savings set aside for park development) of $42,875. Add the $57,050 transferred last week from a now extinct Municipal Council grant reserve and the potential $100,000 transfer outlined in the Draft Budget of 2025 brings the total that could be available for new park features from municipal sources in the upcoming year to roughly $200,000. Additional funding from agencies and government grants could expedite new park investments.
Take the time to examine these plans and provide clear and honest feedback to ensure that your views are heard. KG