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THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

Back on Track: Hamilton's LRT Online Meeting with Metrolinx

We have had our ups, downs and ups again, but Hamilton's LRT is back on track.

On April 7, 2022, at 7:00 PM, join Metrolinx staff and Councillor Wilson online for the first Ward 1 online meeting to learn about the project's status and next steps.

In May 2021, a joint funding announcement was made by the provincial and federal governments committing $3.4B to the project's capital cost, making the Hamilton LRT one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the city's history.

Register here

Hamilton LRT Project and Community Benefits Conversation

Community benefits are tools to help local communities come together and leverage public infrastructure investments, like the LRT, to ensure that these projects bring benefits, not harm, to a community.

The Hamilton Community Benefits Network is leading efforts to see a Community Benefits Agreement developed between Metrolinx and the community for the LRT project. The agreement will include consideration of the following issues along the LRT route and at station stops housing affordability, accessibility, arts + culture, and environment. The April 6th Virtual Discussion will focus very specifically on the environment but in ways that will challenge participants to think about how community benefits might bring environmental sustainability and climate resilience to the spectrum of issues that are considered as part of a community benefits agreement. For instance, housing affordability is increased with requirements for energy efficiency.

Click here to RSVP for this session - April 6 - 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Contact Eshan at the Hamilton Community Benefits Network for more information - [email protected]

The Tragic Impact of Poor Intersection Design

Less than a week ago, a young student had the right of way while crossing at the intersection of Dundurn St S and Main St W, but a driver in an SUV struck her. As of the last public update, the young teen is in critical but stable condition.  

While our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family, we need more than that. We need change.

Residents of Ward 1 are well aware of the dangers at Main and Dundurn and at King St W and Dundurn. In fact, these two intersections consistently ranked as the top locations year after year in the City's Annual Collision Report. The next report is due in June of this year.

A recent 2021 roadway safety video analytic examination reviewed the movement of the pedestrian and motorists at these two intersections noting near misses, another indication of the need to address the two intersections comprehensively.

As Maureen has said publicly, "Enough is enough. It's not an anomaly. It is a consistent, constant site for collisions."

Today, Maureen brought a motion to the Public Works Committee through her colleague Councillor Danko (Maureen does not sit on PWC, so another councillor sponsored her motion). The motion will see the study conducted and the results reported back to the public through PWC.

Expectations for the study and its recommendations are high. It is the intention of the councillor and the director for traffic safety that the two intersections come off the collision list. There is no limit to making the intersections safer.

Map

125 Napier/55 Queen N/200 Market Redevelopment Proposal Recent Meetings Videos

In January, the owner of the lands at 200 Market St / 55 Queen St / 125 Napier submitted a development proposal to the City. Interested parties may find details of the plan here.

The City is in the proposal evaluation stage. It welcomes comments and questions from residents until the statutory public meeting, the date of which is yet to be determined.

Senior planner Mark Kehler is leading the evaluation. Email: [email protected] Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 4148. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr Kehler at your convenience.

Two public information meetings were held in March, one by neighbours and the second by the developer. Both hosts recorded their sessions and made them public.

• Neighbour lead meeting held March 16, 2022.
• Developer Meeting held March 22, 2022. 
•      Presentation notes and slides

Capital Projects Updates

Mapleside Park Play Your Way Survey Closes April 7, 2022

The City is offering a survey to the public to gain insight into the features that the community would like to have included in the replacement playground design.

We encourage community members of all ages to participate and have their say in what the future Mapleside Park playground will look like!

Mapleside Park is located at 13 Mapleside Avenue in Ward 1. Amenities featured in this park include a long walking path, open grass spaces, an outdoor ice skating pad, and the existing playground.

The existing playground includes senior, and junior level play structures, springs toys, and a swing set, most of which have reached their life cycle replacement time.

Additional work in the park will address drainage issues and ruts adjacent to the path.

Churchill Park Phase 2

Construction on the Phase 2 Redevelopments project will begin in July 2022 and will be completed in October 2022, weather depending. During construction, soccer fields will remain open for regularly scheduled games, with specific access points to be provided. Most of the north end (upper-tier) of the park will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Access to Churchill Park from the Princess Point and Ginger Valley trailheads in the north end of the park will be closed during construction, but the trails will continue along the forest edge. As more information becomes available, it will be added to the project page at hamilton.ca/churchillpark 

Churchill Park Play Structure
Please be advised that to facilitate repairs to the net climber and the replacement of platforms, the play structure at Churchill Park will be closed beginning April 4 to April 8, 2022. During this time, there will be no public access to the play structure; however, the swing area will remain open and accessible.

Victoria Park Play Structure

As of April 2, 2022, the Victoria Park play structure will reopen after receiving several new pieces of accessible play equipment. 

Between March 15 and April 5, 2021, the City offered a survey to the public to provide feedback on the playground enhancement at Victoria Park. The survey provided images of various playground components allowing respondents to select their top six choices. 

Victoria Park Spray Pad

Installation of the new spray pad is expected in late spring, with completion by the end of July. 

HAAA

Phase one of the HAAA renewal plan is expected to begin after the spray pad at Victoria Park is completed. This way, there is at least one spray pad operational between Kirkendall and Strathcona at all times.

Look for a forthcoming play structure and the spray pad "Play Your Way" survey in the coming month.

Sidewalk Restoration 2022

This year sidewalk restoration will take place on Sanders Blvd, Breadalbane St, Kent St, with smaller projects on Oxford St, Bond St N, and Orchard Hill.  Thank you to those residents who helped to identify locations across the ward.

A Ward 1 sidewalk audit will continue throughout the year. Anyone who wishes to bring attention to a sidewalk, ramp, or curb requiring significant work may submit their information via this form.

Westdale South Road Work and Water Chamber

Work was expected to begin this year on the resurfacing of Sterling St, Whitton Rd, Oakwood Pl, and a section of Cline Ave S. The construction has been delayed to the Spring of 2023 due to work required on a water chamber located on Sterling between Whitton and Forsyth.  The chamber work, which includes blocking the road for two months, cannot begin any earlier than September of 2022; however, this is the least opportune time for residents as McMaster University will be operating at full capacity this fall. Closing the Sterling at Oakwood with only Forsyth as access to the east campus would place unprecedented traffic on sidestreets.

We are working with City staff and McMaster University to see the chamber work occur after the Winter 2023 semester, when the number of people requiring access to the east campus will dwindle significantly, creating far less pressure on surrounding streets. 

The Marion Ave N total reconstruction and the Marion Ave S resurfacing will continue as scheduled this spring.

Other Road Work

Both Breadalbane and Kent streets will see resurfacing work this fall as part of the bike boulevard.

Morden St is being prepared for full reconstruction.

10-Year Capital Plan

For those interested, you may find the current 10-year capital plan for other capital projects on page 92 of the 2022 Preliminary Tax Supported Capital Budget. Please note that watermain and sewer work is not included in this budget book but does apply to specific projects like Aberdeen Ave, Westdale North, Oxford St and others.  The additional costs are known closer to the capital project year. 

Greener Ward 1

Spring is here, and the time is right to Green Ward 1 by using native trees and plants. Check out our Greener Ward 1 page with helpful information and tree tours delivered by our incomparable local botanist, Paul O'Hara. 

Kirkendall Garden Club

For gardeners in Kirkendall/Strathcona/Durand, watch the Kirkendall Garden Club website for information to be posted soon about joining in for the 2nd annual Great Giant Pumpkin (or Sunflower!) Grow-Off - free contest registration will open April 8, limited spots." 

NATURhoods Design Workshop. April 5 at 6:00 PM or & April 9 at 11:00 AM. A free workshop where you can meet with green infrastructure experts and gain valuable resources and knowledge on transforming your yard for nature this spring. Plus, learn how to apply for a rebate of up to $500 for Ward 1 eligible projects. Registration required.

Get Your Rain Barrels!

The City of Hamilton's 2022 Rain Barrel Event will be strictly ONLINE this year. Rain barrels can be ordered online from April 1 until May 14, 2022.

The rain barrels offered as part of this sale are $75 each, with taxes included and free delivery. Order your rain barrel between April 1 and May 14. Deliveries will be completed throughout the sale and no later than May 31, 2022.

Doors Open Hamilton Needs You!

Doors Open Hamilton is back this year in person for the first time since 2019. The event runs May 7 and 8, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  

The event coordinator is the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario Hamilton Region Branch (ACO HRB) this year. Currently, they have over 25 in-person sites and several special activities, including walking tours, virtual tours, colouring pages, word puzzles, and a Spring Market hosted by one of the fabulous historic sites. You will not be disappointed.

However, as with all community-run events, they need your help. They are looking for site ambassadors to greet folks at the various historic sites across the city. Give much or as little time you have to share the significant places in Hamilton that are not often open to the public. Email [email protected] or call Janice Brown (289-887-2366) for more information. 

Events

• McMaster Lager Lecture, April 6, 2022, 7:00 PM. [Online] Registration Required.

How the north is changing, and what does it mean?

Northern Canada is warming more rapidly than any location on the planet, resulting in unprecedented ecosystem changes, widespread permafrost thaw, glacial retreat and an uncertain future. At the same time, development, primarily in the form of resource exploration and extraction, is placing additional pressure on sensitive ecosystems far from societal centres. Based on 25 years of northern travel and research, Dr Sean Carey will review the unexpected changes and how our collective water resources are threatened. Simply put, in a very short period of time, the north has changed. How Canadians will respond and adapt to this change remains uncertain.

• Breaking Ground: Collaborative Community Greening with Depave Paradise, April 6, 2022, [Online] Half day forum. Registration required.

Depave Paradise is a nationwide program in which communities come together to rip up asphalt (by hand!) and replace it with beautiful community green spaces.

• Strathcona Community Event, April 9, 2022, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Location: Victoria Park, 500 King St W

Come and join your neighbours for an opportunity to have fun and get to know each other better. Bring your favourite board game. There will be light snacks, a book exchange (bring books you'd like to swap), information about the Strathcona Community Pantry (bring a donation if you can), crafts and activities for kids, and more…

Donations for the Strathcona Community Pantry are gratefully appreciated.

• Air Quality in Hamilton: Understanding the Regulatory Framework, April 12, 2022, 7:00 PM. [Online] Registration required.

Hosted by Environment Hamilton. Learn more about how air quality is regulated in our community.  

• Washed Away: The climate emergency, stormwater, and what Hamilton can do about it, [Online] April 13, 2022, 6:30 PM. Registration required.

Hosted by Environment Hamilton. The impacts the climate emergency is generating for Hamilton's stormwater system and what the city can do about it to protect our local waterways and Lake Ontario, reduce the financial impact of major storms, and keep basements from being flooded.

• Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association Annual General Meeting, April 26, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Join the KNA in person at Blessings Christian Church (115 Stanley Ave) or via Zoom online at KNA AGM
  Meeting ID: 811 2949 6919, Passcode: 416288
  
  
• Westdale Reformed Church Community Food Drive, April 30, 2022, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM, Location: 201 Paradise Rd N. Volunteers will be on hand to accept donations. Please support this worthwhile event! 
  
  
• Locke Street Community Fair, May 29, 2022, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Location: 115 Stanley Ave

Join Kirkendall residents for a free community event and fundraiser for the Locke Street Community Fridge. 

The fundraiser is for the Locke Street Fridge. 100% of vendor's fees go to support the ongoing maintenance of the fridge. See the event page for more details or email the organizers at [email protected].

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Follow along for timely Ward 1 Updates via       

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 905-546-2416

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. 

Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America), and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.