A number of Belleville playgrounds will get major upgrades this year and community residents will have a hand in designing them.
The city had decided at its budget meeting last fall to spend a large portion of its government COVID-19 resiliency fund, $920,000, on upgrading four parks in the city.
Manager of Transportation and Operations Joseph Reid tells Quinte News a survey has been sent out to residents to help figure out what is wanted.
“We’re looking at Haig Road, Cascade and Jackson Woods. And, as well, we’re going to do some trail upgrades and some… upgrades…in the Bell Park in Ward 2 off of Farnham Road.”
He explained, “The survey is out there to try to find what the needs are in the community. What they’d like to see.”
“And then we can build the tenders, and put out an RFP as soon as we get the results back and be ready when spring comes and get shovels in the ground.”
Reid added, “(There are) lots of projects going on coming through COVID … we want to see people outside using our parks and our facilities. We’re undertaking the Parks Master Plan.”
Reid says he’s still in preliminary discussions with the consultant to identify areas with immediate needs.
He expects to get returns from the survey in the next few weeks.
Reid adds that the idea is to get the tenders out soon so that when spring comes, work on the playgrounds can begin.
One of the requirements of the grant is that work must be completed in 2021.
