Wellesley eyes destination park

A new park planned for Wellesley should be a destination, not simply recreational space, say consultants hired by the township.

Councillors heard Tuesday night from representatives of F.J. Galloway Associates, who are developing a master plan for the proposed Wellesley park on Hutchinson Road.

“When we were designing the plan, we realized it shouldn’t just be a collection of sports fields and playgrounds and equipment,” said Brian Roth, a senior landscape architect at GSP Group. “But rather we should try to create a place, a destination for all the residents of the Township and quite likely beyond as well. That this place should embody the character of what is Wellesley.”

Proposed amenities include a community centre right in the heart of the park, housing a rink with spectator seating, a double gymnasium, community rooms, change rooms and a kitchen.

The plan also detailed three parking lots, with the main parking area with about 230 spaces, an alternative parking lot near the play area with about 76 spaces, and a smaller lot by the trail with around 28 spaces.

The representatives also suggested using additional open space for soccer fields, ball diamonds, dog or skate park, although that has not been decided yet.

The group split the process for the project into three separate phases, with the first set to begin in 2019.