Kincardine council has gotten a look at concept designs for a makeover for Victoria Park, but say that more needs to be done to have a design that everyone can agree on.
Council had previously approved $25,000 to engage with Pl.ural Design to put together some concepts that would help to create a green space for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.
In particular, the consultation was intended to find a design that would add accessibility, while also preserving community heritage.
Community groups including the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Scottish Festival team also provided their thoughts.
Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski said during the presentation “We’re very fortunate to have this gem in the middle of our community. Not many communities have a nice park, a beautiful park, that’s distracted with playground equipment and other things and is just a nice green space, so it’s an area we definitely have to cherish.”
The proposed design, which was presented by landscape architect Sean Kelly, includes a performance pavilion, and a new home for the fountain.
A concept drawing of the fountain at Victoria Park, presented to Kincardine council on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (photo: Pl.ural Design Inc.)
Councillor Mike Hinchberger said he liked the ideas presented to council by Pl.ural.
“Really, I think [where] we’re at at this point, there is an issue with accessing the park for pedestrians and especially those with accessibility issue. This provides a perimetered way for them to access all parts of it,” he explained. “If you look at old photos of Victoria Park before the parking was put in here, there actually was a means to get there, [and] that the parking that was put around it in some ways made it tougher for pedestrians to get there. The performance plaza I think it’s there, it’s moved into a better location. The conceptual design has the fountain, where it’s located within the park is something that can be fine tuned. There’s a lot in there that I think hits.”
The overall feedback from council and from residents was that moving the fountain seemed to be an issue, as did the proposed position of the performance pavilion.
Many people also raised concern about the lack of incorporation of the cannon, but it was explained to council that the cannon would still be within the park.
The consultation process included two engagement sessions, as well as on-line opportunities for members of the public to share their feedback.
A concept drawing of a performance space at Victoria Park, presented to Kincardine council on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (photo: Pl.ural Design Inc.)
Councillor Bill Stewart was hesitant to give his approval to the presented design, saying that it didn’t seem right to move forward after only 212 residents giving their feedback.
“If we can’t get 5 percent or 10 percent of the population, are we really hitting it out of the park?” he asked during discussions. “Maybe there’s not a lot of people interested in this, but if we decide to go ahead with this design concept, I guarantee it we’ll hear [from] more than 212 people.”
Council decided that rather than approving the design, they’d rather choose to accept the conceptual drawings in order to further direct staff to come up with more ideas for a space that would make everyone happy. Accepting the designs would also help the municipality include a redesign of Victoria Park in the 2025 Budget.
“I think the [change] gives staff a much wider range here,” said Councillor Rory Cavanagh. “It also keeps the door open for staff to bring things back as they deem appropriate going forward, without council signalling or endorsing any particular path forward.”
The revised motion to accept the design as information was put forward by Cavanagh, saying that it wouldn’t put the wheels in motion to start following the designs, but rather to help council give staff further direction during the process.
