• Strathcona & Kirkendall Complete Streets Final Report Online Meeting
• Park Project Updates
• Temporary Closure of Kanétskare Recreation Centre
• Connecting with the Community
• The 2026 Tax Budget
• Yard Waste Collection Resumes
• The 2026/2027 Hamilton Waste Guide
• The KNA Needs You!
• Virtual Engagement on Hamilton Urban Core's RTR Program
• Event Spotlight: Spring Discovery Days
• Events

Strathcona & Kirkendall Complete Streets Final Report Online Meeting

In response to concerns from residents of the Strathcona and Kirkendall neighbourhoods, the City of Hamilton's Traffic Safety Department, in conjunction with Dillan Consulting, conducted a street safety study from 2024-2025.

City staff will present the findings and the proposed solutions during this online meeting.

The initiative, building on progress made through Hamilton’s Strategic Road Safety Program and Vision Zero Action Plan, aimed to develop tailored solutions to reduce traffic speeds, enhance public spaces, and improve safety for all road users, regardless of age or ability.

The study concentrated on residential and collector streets within the neighbourhood bounded by Queen Street, Highway 403, the escarpment, and the CN rail line north of Barton Street E.

Residents' input on specific and systemic issues was sought throughout the process through two in-person meetings in each neighbourhood and the City's Engage Hamilton project site. 

Strathcona meeting - March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM: Registration required.

Kirkendall meeting - March 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM: Registration required.

Each meeting will be held via Zoom.

Park Project Updates

HAAA Grounds - Park Renewal

The tender process has closed, and the contract award letter will go out shortly. The project is expected to break ground in the spring, likely April. The project is expected to last 10 months.

The construction entrance and exit will be situated at the south-west end of the park. There will be some impact to on-street parking on Charlton Ave, from Kent to the end of the HAAA property.

There will be absolutely no access through the park during the construction. However, a recommendation was made that the contractor maintain a path from Charlton to Kanétskare School at the very eastern end of the park. 

Alternative parks while the HAAA is under construction:

• Multi-age parks: Jackson Street Park and Beulah Park
• Junior play structures: Hill Street and Mapleside parks

Churchill Hill Park 

The north stairs will be completed within five weeks. The contractor will then move to the area around the fieldhouse, followed by the other three work areas. Access to most of the park (playground, spray pad, sports fields, and the majority of pathways) will be maintained during construction.  

Victoria Park Tennis Courts

An archaeological review and screening is required for this project. This work involves coordination with a consulting archaeologist and First Nations Monitors to ensure all requirements are met.

The precast sport light footings arrived, and the installation is scheduled for the week of February 25, once weather conditions allow auguring and equipment use. The lighting installation is expected to continue into mid-March.

The asphalt installation and acrylic court coatings are temperature-sensitive and cannot proceed until warmer weather arrives.

In general, the project remains on schedule and is progressing as planned, with the goal of having the courts open by June 2026.

Hill Street Dog Park

There are currently two leash-free dog parks in Ward 1 — Cathedral Dog Park and Hill Street Dog Park — giving residents safe, fenced spaces to exercise their dogs off-leash. However, neither park currently includes a designated area for small dogs.

City Parks staff recently evaluated Hill Street Dog Park and confirmed that the site can be reconfigured to include separate areas for small dogs and large dogs. Following this assessment, the Public Works Committee approved a motion to fund the reconfiguration using area-rated funds.

The overall size of the park will remain the same. Approximately one-third of the west end of the park will be designated for small dogs, with the remaining area reserved for larger breeds. Each section will have its own dedicated entrance to improve safety and comfort for all users.

This project was brought forward by a dedicated Kirkendall resident who identified a community need and helped organise local support. Their advocacy has created a more inclusive space for both dogs and their owners — thank you for your leadership and commitment to the neighbourhood!

Temporary Closure of Kanétskare Recreation Centre

The Kanétskare Recreation Centre (251 Duke St) will be temporarily closed from March 10 to April 12, 2026, for preventative maintenance. This important work will include a deep clean of the pool basin, pool deck, showers, and changerooms. Tile repairs, painting, and other general maintenance will also be taking place throughout the building. Pool shutdowns are currently scheduled on a three-year rotation for grouting, deep cleaning, and larger maintenance/repair work that can't easily be done while the building is open. Kanétskare's last closure was in 2022. Completing this work will ensure Kanétskare is ready and refreshed for the busy spring and summer seasons.

During the closure, all programming is cancelled. Where possible, swim clubs and other user groups will be accommodated at alternate facilities.

The City of Hamilton has historically tried to conduct important maintenance closures at times when programming would not be impacted by events like March Break. Unfortunately, it was determined that Kanétskare required some additional time for more intensive basin cleaning and stain removal to ensure the safety and enjoyment of users. This closure has been scheduled to ensure work can be completed by the time swimming lessons begin in April.

Even though Kanétskare will be closed until April 12, programming will continue at other recreation centres around Hamilton. And residents can always find information on the City's website about activities at other City of Hamilton recreation centres, like:

• Drop-in swims
• Drop-in skates
• Drop-in gym sessions
• Registered spring programming
• Senior's programs
• Winter and spring outdoor programs

Connecting with the Community

Meeting at 120 Strathcona Ave

On February 18, I participated in a town hall with Hamilton Centre MPP Robin Lennox at the Strathcona Gardens Seniors Apartments, 120 Strathcona Ave. MPP Lennox and I had some great conversations with the approximately 30 residents who joined to discuss their provincial and municipal concerns. 

Residents shared important perspectives on CityHousing Hamilton, the municipal agency that operates Strathcona Gardens, and their desire for consistent communication regarding building maintenance. Residents also shared their perspectives on the HSR and how Hamilton's transit can be more accessible to seniors and those with limited access to technology. And there were some productive conversations about making Victoria Park more age-friendly, including the placement of traditional benches with sturdy backs for those with mobility issues.

I want to thank the residents for their frank and enlightening conversations. I also want to thank MPP Lennox for taking the time to join and provide an important provincial perspective.

The 4th Annual Mayor's Iftar at Hamilton City Hall

I was honoured to take part in the Mayor’s 4th Annual Iftar at Hamilton City Hall. Hamiltonians from mosques across the city gathered for this meaningful evening, coming together to break the fast after sunset during Ramadan, following the adhan, or call to prayer. It was a wonderful opportunity to share in reflection, conversation, and celebration with residents from across our community. Events like this highlight the strength of Hamilton’s diversity and the importance of creating space for connection, understanding, and shared traditions.

Canmet Material's 15th Anniversary Event

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Canmet Materials to help celebrate its 15th anniversary at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP).

Canmet Materials is Canada’s largest facility dedicated to the fabrication, processing, and evaluation of metals and advanced materials. Its history dates back to 1907, when the federal government established the Department of Mines to study Canada’s natural resources, including peat and coal.

In 2011, Canmet relocated to MIP, drawn by its close partnership with McMaster University, access to world-class research talent, and strong ties to Hamilton’s industrial sector.

Today, Canmet’s lab at MIP plays a vital role in developing materials solutions for Canada’s energy, transportation, and metal manufacturing industries. As Canada works to build a strong and competitive economy, Canmet’s research and partnerships are more important than ever.

Congratulations to Canmet Materials on 15 years of innovation in Hamilton!

The 2026 Tax Budget

On February 19, 2026, Hamilton City Council voted to pass the 2026 Tax Budget with notable revisions. These revisions brought the tax increase down to 3.87%, below the original target of 4.25%. This increase is in line with similarly sized municipalities across the province of Ontario. The 2026 tax budget was amended by Council to ensure a healthy balance between providing the services that Hamiltonians have come to expect and the very real concerns about affordability in the community.

Mayor Horwath announced on February 24, 2026, that she would not be exercising her veto power on the 2026 tax budget. The Mayor of Hamilton has been granted the power to "veto" or "override" votes of council under Bill 3, the "Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022," which the Province of Ontario extended to Hamilton in 2023. With Mayor Horwath's announcement, the 2026 tax budget has been declared "adopted".

The 2026 Tax Budget supports City services, infrastructure projects, education, and local Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs). ABCs are semi-autonomous bodies that are tasked with managing a specialized aspect of local service delivery like the Board of Health and the Hamilton Police Service. Out of the total budget, 59 percent supports City services (45 percent) and infrastructure projects (14 percent), while the remaining 41 percent is divided between education (11 percent) and ABCs (30 percent).

Yard Waste Collection Resumes

As spring approaches, the City of Hamilton's curbside yard waste collection will resume. Residents can place their yard waste in a brown paper yard waste bag or an open-top rigid reusable container with handles on opposite sides, clearly marked with City of Hamilton yard waste stickers.

This year, curbside yard waste collection resumes the week of March 2, 2026. Please remember to have yard waste and any other garbage or recycling at your curb by 7:00 AM on the day of your collection. If you are unsure about when your curbside pick-up is or want to confirm possible holiday postponements, the City of Hamilton's website provides an up-to-date calendar for residents. The city's website also offers help for residents with questions about acceptable items for curbside yard waste, garbage, and recycling pick-up.

If you have yard waste that you need to dispose of prior to curbside pick-up resuming on March 2, you can bring it to any of Hamilton's three community recycling centres during regular business hours.

The 2026/2027 Hamilton Waste Guide

Your 2026/2027 Hamilton Waste Guide will be arriving in the mail beginning on March 2, 2026. Please note that, as the waste guides are being mailed by Canada Post, they may arrive as late as the end of February or early March. If you do not receive a waste guide by the end of March, feel free to reach out to the Ward 1 office at [email protected], and we will help you obtain one.

The 2026/2027 Hamilton Waste Guide includes reminders of changes to the residential Blue Box Program, "What Goes Where" sorting information, and a holiday collection calendar. Included with the waste guide are your 2026/2027 "extra" trash tags. These tags will be active with the week of March 30, 2026, after which time the 2025/2026 tags will no longer be valid. Residents can request an additional 14 trash tags to be picked up or mailed to them for use between April 2026 and March 2027. This can be accomplished by visiting a Municipal Service Centre or City Hall, emailing [email protected], or calling 905-546-CITY (2489).

The KNA Needs You!

Music Survey

The Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association (KNA) is embarking on a project in the Kirkendall neighbourhood to encourage and expand awareness, participation, and attendance in local live music initiatives. Their first step is to survey Kirkendall residents to identify music initiatives in the area, both ongoing and in the planning stages, scheduled to take place in the next 12 months. If you have a music initiative and would like the KNA to know about it, please fill out this short survey, the KNA Music Mapping Survey, by April 24th. Know anyone in Kirkendall with a music initiative? Please send this link to them. The results of our survey will be compiled to inform the next phase of our music awareness project. For more information, contact the KNA at [email protected].

Social Media Coordinator Volunteer Needed

Interested in a volunteer position that showcases your social media and community engagement skills? The Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association has a volunteer opportunity for you. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about our Social Media Coordinator position.

Virtual Engagement on Hamilton Urban Core's RTR Program

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (Urban Core) invites community members to a Virtual Community Engagement Meeting to share updates on their Residential Treatment & Recovery (RTR) Program at 276 Aberdeen Avenue. The meeting will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, and a link to the meeting will be shared upon registration. Registration is available through Urban Core's website. This meeting is being organised by Urban Core to share updates on the facility at 276 Aberdeen Ave. It is not affiliated with the City of Hamilton, the Ward 1 office, or any government body.

This session will provide an overview of the program model, an update on project progress and respond to questions submitted in advance of the meeting. Any questions can be directed to Urban Core at [email protected] or by phone at 905-522-3233.

For more information on Urban Core's RTR program and the background on this site, please see the letter distributed to the community on August 1, 2025 and our previous post from August 15, 2025.

Event Spotlight

Spring Discovery Days at Gage Park - March 14 to 22, 2026

Spring is coming, and the City of Hamilton is celebrating with Spring Discovery Days, a week of family-friendly hands-on activities, scavenger hunts and interactive experiences in Gage Park and the Tropical Greenhouse during March Break. These free events (donations to Hamilton Food Share would be appreciated!) will allow visitors to step behind the scenes and explore the greenhouse where thousands of flowers for the City are grown each year. Come on down to Gage Park from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily and experience some of these wonderful events:

• March 14, 2026 - Hamilton Naturalist Club
  
  • Learn about Hamilton's local plants and animals with the Hamilton Naturalists' Club through fun, hands-on activities for all ages. Visit our booth to try our "Would This Help Wildlife?" habitat sorting game, "Design a Pollinator Paradise" to share with your friends, and test your knowledge with interactive trivia, all while discovering simple ways to support biodiversity in your own backyard!
• March 15, 2026 - Green Venture and Hamilton Civic Museums
  • Green Venture - Discover what happens when it rains and how you can fix flooding with Green Venture. Learn about the environmental issues associated with stormwater runoff and ways you can prevent stormwater pollution. Create a mini city of your own and put it to the test in a rainstorm.
  • Hamilton Civic Museums - Celebrate spring blossoms with the Historic Kitchen Garden at Dundurn National Historic Site. Join Garden Demonstrator Melissa Wawrzyniak for a delightful drop-in activity to make colourful tissue-paper peonies and flower crowns.
• March 16, 2026 - Hamilton Water
  
  • Kids and parents will explore how toilets and sewers work in Hamilton while learning about the 3Ps — pee, poo, and toilet paper — the only things that should be flushed! Through a fun, hands-on activity, families will discover how flushing wipes and other garbage can clog pipes, cause sewer backups and harm local waterways.
• March 17, 2026 - Hamilton Waste Management
  
  • The Waste Management team will be on site to answer your questions and share educational materials on how to properly sort waste in your household. Stop by to play fun games and win prizes while you learn.
• March 18, 2026 - Hamilton Forestry
  
  • Join Forestry for a fun, interactive look at our Urban Forest! Learn how trees grow, how they function, and the pests that affect them. Enjoy a Touch-a-Truck experience featuring a crane truck and stumper, test your knowledge by guessing a tree’s age for a chance to win a prize, and take part in a tree-themed scavenger hunt. Fun for all ages!
• March 19, 2026 - Hamilton Forestry
  
  • Forestry will teach the value of trees, proper potting techniques, and planting instructions. There will be a crane truck and stumper, the operator will demonstrate crane operation and describe how the stumper grinds stumps, they will also have a log for participants to guess how old the tree is.
• March 20, 2026 - Hamilton Traffic
  
  • Traffic Signal specialists and Roadway Safety representatives will be on site to provide engaging, hands-on educational experiences focused on transportation infrastructure. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, and important roadway safety initiatives designed to keep our communities safe and connected.
• March 21, 2026 - The Children’s Garden Project and Hamilton Civic Museums
  • The Children’s Garden Project - Join us at the Children’s Garden Project Activation Centre featuring our Let’s Get Growing Workshop Series and creative experiences with Paper Botanicals. Families can plant seeds, learn the basics of propagation, and dive into hands-on gardening fun while exploring simple, kid-friendly lessons in environmental stewardship. Discover how tiny seeds grow into thriving gardens—and help us nurture the next generation of young environmental stewards.
  • Hamilton Civic Museums - Budding Scientists, Grow Your Own Berry Bush! Dive into the science of Spring while bringing dormant branches to life! Participants will explore buds and baby leaves with a variety of sprouting fruit trees and bushes from Dundurn’s Historic Kitchen Garden. Learn about how to create a whole new berry patch from just a little piece of wood. Participants will take home a red currant cutting to root up and care for.
• March 22, 2026 - Hamilton Civic Museums
  
  • Explore children's pastimes from yesteryear and make connections between the past and present through fun, educational hands-on activities! Learn about old tools used on the farm and in the home for the past 200 years, then get creative at our crafting table.

Events - Ward 1

Pastry Palooza: Historic Cooking Workshop

• February 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Location: Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard
• This is food history at its best! Indulge your historic culinary passions and join in the fun at Pastry Palooza! Dundurn’s Cook Demonstrators will guide guests in working together to make traditional pastry recipes in our historic kitchen using our beautiful cast-iron range. Complete your immersive experience with a tasting of your prepared treats. $65 per person. Recommended for ages 14+. Pre-registration is required.

Hamilton Festival Theatre Co.'s Place-Based Series: A Night at the Staircase

• March 6, 7, and 8, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
• Location: The Staircase Theatre + Lounge, 27 Dundurn St N.
• Frost Bites is Hamilton's biggest winter theatre festival, and the Place-Based Series is coming to the Staircase Theatre and Lounge! It’s a full slate of 8 site-specific performances in the weird nooks and crannies of the building, and a rotating set of “Interludes” in the Lounge each night. A ticket gives you admission to the Staircase Theatre + Lounge anytime between the hours of 6.30 PM and 10:40 PM on your chosen performance date. Audience members can choose which shows they’d like to see and when. Some shows are grouped into “cycles” where the audience sees three separate shows in sequence. Tickets are $30 for general admission or $15 for students, seniors, and anyone working in the arts.

The YWCA Hamilton's Building a Sustainable and Resilient City: An evening with Dr Leslie Kern

• March 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
• Location: The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W
• Join the YWCA of Hamilton for Building a Sustainable and Resilient City, a FREE evening with Dr Leslie Kern and Hamilton councillors on power, equity, and shaping a more inclusive city. Hosted by Eva Salinas, Executive Producer of CBC Hamilton, the evening will begin with a keynote by Dr Kern, author of Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made World. Dr Kern will explore the intersections of gender, power, and urban life, setting the stage for a panel discussion featuring three of Hamilton’s newest City Councillors.

Events - Explore Your City

The Junos in Hamilton

• March 26, 2026, to March 29, 2026
• Location: Across Hamilton
• The Junos are coming to Hamilton! Canada's premiere celebration of music and culture will be held right here in Hamilton on March 29, 2026. For three days beforehand, Hamilton will host multiple events, concerts, and shows honouring Canada's incredible musical talent. And, on March 26, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Music Hall (24 Main St W), the City of Hamilton is hosting a Juno Kickoff Concert with a mix of performances from some of Canada’s top-charting and rising stars. Join us in celebrating Canadian culture right here in Hamilton.

Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music

• January 27, 2026, to Friday, December 31, 2026
• Location: Tourism Hamilton Visitor Experience Centre, 28 James St N
• Celebrate Hamilton’s thriving music scene and the journey of music-making with "Punching In", an exhibit curated by Hamilton Civic Museums in collaboration with the Hamilton music community! Learn about the contributions of promoters, venue owners, songwriters, photographers and sound engineers to your favourite Hamilton songs, and revel in the nostalgia of iconic Hamilton concerts and music venues, past and present. The exhibit will highlight local musicians, including Jackie Washington, Boris Brott, Terra Lightfoot, and the Arkells, as well as the industry that helps to create and share this music. 

Greener Ward 1

Let's do our part in Ward 1 to create healthy, biodiverse neighbourhoods for all living things! Check out Greener Ward 1!

Ward 1 Infrastructure Updates

For up-to-date information on all the infrastructure projects happening in Ward 1, check out our Ward 1 Infrastructure Projects webpage.

Ward 1 Development Information

Here you can find general information on developments and their status in the planning process.

Follow along for timely Ward 1 Updates via:   

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