The City of Welland parks system plays an important role locally and throughout Niagara. Nearly 400 hectares of active and passive parkland are owned by the City of Welland, over half of which is attributed to the Welland Recreational Corridor (approximately 242 hectares of land and waterway).

The Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Master Plan states, “Parks are dynamic places. They are hubs for community gatherings, physical activity, and to simply get fresh air. Well-designed park systems offer social, environmental, health, and economic benefits and have the potential to bring people together.”

As parks play a crucial role within our community, the Love My Park initiative was created to encourage community engagement. There is no one better to help improve parklands better than those who use the parks. Parks are for all ages and we want everyone to feel their community park is their park to run through, sit and read, have a picnic, be active, or sit and enjoy the weather.

There are also several other reasons why community engagement is a key component to the Love My Park initiatives, first there is a sense of ownership when community members actively participate in the planning and execution of Love My Park events, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in their local parks. This sense of ownership leads to increased care and responsibility for the parks, resulting in better maintenance and preservation.

Another reason is collaboration and cooperation, when community members collaborate and cooperate with each other they are fostering a stronger sense of community. Working together on park improvement projects encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, break down barriers, and build relationships.

There are social and health benefits that go with park and parkland. Parks offer spaces for physical activities, relaxation, and social interaction, which contribute to improved mental and physical well-being. Engaging the community in these activities fosters a sense of belonging and social cohesion, enhancing community resilience.

Building a sustainable future for parks requires ongoing community engagement. By involving community members in the decision-making process and empowering them to take ownership, Love My Park initiatives can establish a foundation for continued support and stewardship. This long-term sustainability is essential for the preservation and enhancement of parks for future generations.

Love My Park launched in the summer of 2023, capturing the ideas and imagination of neighbourhoods throughout the city. In approaching this campaign, the following was considered:

• Are the right amenities in the park based on the needs of everyone in the neighbourhood?
• What could be done to the park to ensure there is something for everyone for all four seasons?
• How can the park improve its identity and purpose for social gatherings and play?
• Could community safety improvements encourage more use of the park?
• Can the greenspace be used to help improve our ecosystem?

Since Council’s approval of the Love My Park initiative in October 2023, staff have been reviewing resident feedback and implementing a series of short- and medium-term improvements at each park location. Here is a summary of the completed enhancements:

Bemus Park:

• Filled ruts and holes in the grass.
• Installed a picnic table near the playground for additional seating.
• Planted trees along the new sidewalk on Coventry Rd.
• Installed rocks along the parking lot to create a natural barrier preventing vehicle access to grassy areas.
• Completed survey work; playground renewal design is underway.
• The future playground renewal project (anticipated completion: fall 2025) will include drainage improvements, additional benches, garbage receptacles, and a connecting pathway from the parking area to Fleet St.

Bridlewood Park:

• Filled ruts and holes in the grass.
• Installed a garbage receptacle and dog waste station near the park entrance.
• Constructed a new paved pathway connecting the entrance to the existing school pathway.
• Planted new trees along the pathway.

Glen Park:

• Filled ruts and holes in the grass.
• Replenished wood fiber in the swing area.
• Installed new "Dog on Leash" signage and garbage receptacles at park entrances.
• Added a picnic table near the playground.

Gram Park:

• Filled ruts and holes in the grass.
• Added a picnic table near the playground.
• Improved grading and slope of the outdoor rink for a better winter skating surface.
• Installed new LED lighting for nighttime skating.
• Planted trees on the north and south sides of the rink area.

Hooker Street Park:

• Installed a new garbage receptacle and dog waste station near the park entrance.
• Added a picnic table for additional seating.
• Replenished wood fiber in the swing and playground areas.

Seaway Park:

• Replenished wood fiber in the swing and playground areas.
• Adjusted swing chains to lower the seats.
• Installed new locks on gates to prevent unauthorized ATV access.
• Added a new picnic table for additional seating.
• Installed "Children at Play" signs on Marc Blvd.

Next steps:

City staff will continue working on short- and medium-term improvements at each park, completing any remaining work as needed. Requests for long-term upgrades will be reviewed as part of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan to ensure they align with the City's overall strategy. If additional park improvements are needed, staff will propose them during future budget discussions, following the recommendations in report CS-2023-28.

A second round of Love My Park engagement is being considered for 2026—follow this project and stay tuned!