The Weller Avenue parking lot in Chippawa Park is getting an upgrade to improve safety and make it easier to use. The City of Welland is working with Kerry T Howe Engineering Limited to design the project.

The upgraded parking lot will feature:

• A durable, low-maintenance paved surface
• Clearly marked parking stalls
• Improved traffic flow, including a turnaround area
• Additional sidewalks for safer pedestrian access
• More green space within the park

The redesign will also address uneven surfaces and drainage issues, creating a better experience for visitors. This work will include improving drainage, upgrading underground infrastructure, and extending the park’s service pathway.

Subject to Council approval, construction is planned to begin in spring 2026.

Stay tuned for updates as the project moves through key design and tendering stages.

1. Pathway and Barricade Details

From the plans displayed, it appears that:

1. The pathway from First Avenue will terminate at the new turning area.
2. Entering from First Avenue, it will divert right to the steps to the upper park by the Pavillion and left to a new sidewalk on the north side of Weller Avenue.

Please confirm if this is correct. Specifically:

• The design plan appears to show a curb at the Weller Ave. end of the pathway. Is that correct and if so, what is its height and design?

• Wherever there is curb, it’s a standard concrete barrier curb with gutter (150mm).

2. Safety for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Scooter users - particularly Children

The gradient of the path from First Avenue is significant. Has the City considered:

1. How the curb will protect children, cyclists and scooter users who may lose control coming down the slope?
   • The curb is not designed to stop cyclists from losing control.
2. Whether these upgrades will adequately slow or redirect bikes/scooters to prevent accidents in the turning area?
   • Concrete curb and gutters provide very effective delineation between walkways/sidewalks etc. and black asphalt. The addition of the curb will improve the current condition given that the intersection with the proposed sidewalk will be higher than the existing drop down to the asphalt surface. As a result, the existing concrete walkway will be cut back a couple of meters to match the grades and in effect reducing it (though this is not the objective and the grade improvements will be minor).
3. Has the city undertaken a traffic study on Weller Ave. If not, why not?
   • A traffic study is not warranted. Turning bulbs are standard at the terminus of a local roadway.
4. Has the Niagara Regional Police or its park advisor reviewed these plans for safety? If so, please provide their opinion. If not, why not?
   • This is not warranted. Professional engineers licensed to practise in Ontario design these projects in accordance with local, regional and provincial standards with an obligation to consider public safety.

3. Parking on Laughlin Avenue

We also raise a concern about vehicles parking on Laughlin Avenue close to the playground. We frequently see up to 10+ vehicles parked there, with children running / wandering onto the street to climb into vehicles. This is a serious safety risk we have witnessed multiple times.

1. There are regularly more vehicles parked on Laughlan Ave. than in the Weller Ave. parking lot (excepting events).
   • Folks are free to park in any available public spot either within a formal parking lot or on-street parking spots.
2. What measures are planned to address this hazard and protect children’s safety in this area?
   • The roadside parking on Laughlin Avenue is typical where permitted throughout the city. There is an expectation that care givers protect children from running out into the road in all circumstances (from a front yard, a sidewalk, a parking lot, at an intersection and….roadside parking). Having said that, staff will continue to monitor and consider the need for future parking improvements at this park.
3. There is space in the park along Laughlin Ave. that could accommodate a parking area.
   • The preference is not to take additional parkland for parking but rather to optimize what already exists. Having said that staff will continue to monitor.
4. Is this a project that the city is planning and if so, when?
   • Not currently. Staff will continue to monitor and consider the need for future parking improvements at this park.

4. Project Process and Transparency

To ensure public trust, we respectfully request answers to these questions:

1. What problem(s) does the proposed turnaround solve?
   • As mentioned above, the bulb is a current standard for terminating dead-end roadways. Turning bulbs allow vehicles to turn around without pulling into adjacent private driveways including garbage trucks, delivery trucks and emergency vehicles.
   • The addition of curb and gutter provides important delineation between pedestrian and vehicles. The sidewalk additions also provide a safe path for pedestrians with improved connectivity to the park.
   • Curb and gutter assists with the conveyance of runoff that serves to extend the life of the asphalt surfaces.
2. What stage is this project currently in?
   • As mentioned in previous emails, the project is currently in the design phase. Staff will be including construction costs in the 2026 budget for consideration and approval by Council.
3. Were other solutions considered, such as a hammerhead turnaround or leaving the dead end as-is?
   • Yes, however the proposed design is preferred for all the reason mentioned above.
4. Has a traffic or safety study been completed? Will it be made public?
   • Again, a traffic study is not warranted to upgrade a dead-end roadway to current standards.
5. Was this project included in any previous city budget, planning document, or public meeting?
   • Yes, as mentioned in previous emails, the project design was budgeted in 2024 under our Parks group – page 89 of the budget book. https://www.welland.ca/Budgets/pdf/BudgetBook2024.pdf
   • Engineering standards identify the appropriate means to terminate roadways.
   • Engineering standards and the City’s Official Plan address pedestrian connections to public parks.
   • The project was made public through budget meetings.
   • A community meeting was held on December 1, 2022 to discuss park matters including the gates/parking availability at the end of Weller Avenue.
     • As a result, of public feedback, the following interim measures were implemented around the Weller Avenue terminus and parking area.
       • The parking gates were removed;
       • The parking lot was shortened and delineated with armour stone blocks;
       • Formal parking stalls were painted complete with signage; and
       • General signage was installed to improve safety.
     • The goal was that the design of the permanent improvements would be budgeted at the next opportunity – this budget was subsequently approved by Council.
6. What public consultation requirements apply to a project like this?
   • The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process is the legal framework that applies to this type of project. The MCEA process is tiered into Schedules, based on the type and scale of the project. In this case, the project is a Schedule A in that it’s minor or routine. To that end, there is no requirement to consider options or conduct public consultation.
7. What is the timing for the project?
   • If the construction funding is approved during the 2026 budget deliberations, then staff will advance the construction next summer (2026).

5. Impacts, Cost, and Future Use

1. How will nearby properties be affected in terms of access, parking, landscaping, or property lines?
   • Adjacent residents may experience some temporary inconveniences during the construction phase (Noise, dust, construction vehicles). The residents at #56 will have their driveway access affected at some points during construction, but that will be discussed with them directly.
2. Will any private land be impacted or expropriated? If so, please provide details.
   • No.
3. How will emergency response, garbage collection, and deliveries be impacted?
   • Assuming the question is related to the construction phase – contractors make allowances for emergency response, garbage collection, and deliveries.
   • If you mean post construction, then this will be much improved with the turning bulb as noted above.
4. What is the projected total cost and source of funding?
   • Costs and funding sources will be presented through the 2026 budget deliberations.
5. Why was this project prioritized?
   • This project was prioritized based on public feedback and the improvements align with the City’s Strategic Priorities. https://www.welland.ca/Cityhall/strategicPlan.asp
6. Have any environmental or soil assessments been undertaken or planned, given green space will be lost and trees removed?
   • Again, as part of the MCEA process, this project is considered minor to that end it is deemed to be a Schedule A project under that process.
7. Is this turnaround connected to any future extension of Weller Avenue or nearby development?
   • No. This isn’t an unopened road allowance.
8. Does it set a precedent for similar projects?
   • Turning bulbs at dead-ends is an accepted provincial standard and parking lot improvements can occur at any time….I’m not understanding the precedent reference – this is already a standard project.

Our Request

For transparency and accountability, we respectfully request: This process is already open and transparent.

1. A detailed written response addressing each question.
2. That this letter and responses be entered into the public record and shared with all Council members due to Chippawa park being a Welland destination park.
3. That affected residents be given an opportunity to review and comment on any revised plans before council considers and votes on the proposed project.
   • At a Public Information Centre (PIC), held on July 17, 2024 members of the public were provided an opportunity to review and comment on the plans. Feedback has been positive. There won’t be any significant changes from that previously presented.