City ponders park changes
Engineering firm looking into options for Charlottetown’s Victoria Park
The City of Charlottetown is thinking about making some changes around its crown jewel park.
Council passed a resolution at its recent monthly meeting to hire engineering firm EXP Services Inc. to have a look at the current roadway through the park as well as see if it’s possible to construct an active transportation path along Victoria Park Roadway.
This will cost city taxpayers $41,482.
“There is not much to report at this point except the fact what we’re trying to do is have a multi-purpose path all year-round but also keep the cars going around,’’ Coun. Terry MacLeod, chairman of the standing committee on public works told The Guardian on July 16.
MacLeod said no decisions have been made, but it could include a scenario in which two-way traffic on Victoria Park Roadway could move through the park year-round.
The inside lane around the park is strictly for pedestrians and cyclists on a seasonal basis.
EXP will see if it’s possible, for example, to construct an active transportation path just off the roadway that would stretch from Victoria Park Driveway, which divides the park in half, along the playground and up to Brighton Road.
EXP will also look at making improvements to Victoria Park Roadway and the curbing along the roadway.
At a recent meeting of the parks, recreation and leisure committee, Coun. Terry Bernard, chairman of the committee, made specific mention of the fact the road needs repairs and that the curbing is cracking in many spots.
Any of this work would likely involve upgrades to the centre median and the oldfashioned lanterns, as well as the storm water management system.
At the parks, recreation committee meeting, Frank Quinn, manager of the department, said the engineer is being asked to come back with three options and estimates.
Coun. Bob Doiron isn’t happy about the expenditure.
Doiron said he feels the city spends far too much on Victoria Park and not enough in the wards.
Doiron said he understands Victoria Park is the city’s jewel but added he always finds himself fighting for money for things like new sidewalks in his area.
MacLeod said the issue is in the hands of staff at the moment, explaining the public works resolution passed on July 12 was necessary because it involved spending money.
The city will take a look at what options EXP comes back with.
“We just want to see what … is possible to do,’’ he said.