It's August 14, 2026. The Ward 1 Newsletter is here to provide all the information you need to stay up-to-date with what's happening in your community.

In this edition, find updates on local park projects, photos from a local plastics clean-up, information for students and tenants before move-in season, and so much more. There's plenty to discover in The Ward 1 Newsletter!

Get your "copy" fresh from the desktop by subscribing to our mailing list!

• Road Construction Updates
• Park Project Updates
• Chedoke Golf Club Consultation
• Great Lakes Plastics Clean-up
• Off-campus Move-in Information
• Clear the sidewalk, please.
• Tenant Guide
• In Case You Missed It!
• Lights Out for Bird Migration Season
• Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton
• Events

---

Road Construction Updates

MAIN STREET - WATER MAIN LINING - August 17-21, 2026 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in Ward 1

NOTICE

•    Main Street West between Locke Street South and MacNab Street South - Restoration (Concrete and Asphalt Works)

DUNDURN ST S LANE CLOSURE

The northbound lane closure of Dundurn St S between Main St W and Hill St remains on track to conclude by August 21. The contractors on site are working through the outstanding items they must address, and City inspectors have been visiting daily to monitor the work and ensure the contractor remains on schedule. If the weather cooperates, the contractor can maintain its current pace, and the northbound lane should reopen in one week. We will communicate any unforeseen issues or complications as they arise.

QUEEN ST HILL/BECKETT DRIVE MAINTENANCE

• Scope: Partial closure (one lane available for controlled access) to facilitate regularly scheduled maintenance
• Status: August 19 to 21, 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM
• Note: To maximize service delivery while minimizing impacts to the public, traffic will be managed using a Traffic Control Person (TCP) setup, allowing vehicles to access the roadway safely, in a controlled and organized manner.

WESTDALE RESURFACING

• Construction Notice 1 for Contract C15-31-26(H)

KIRKENDALL ROAD RESURFACING (Various locations) 2026-2027 - Change in timing

• Scope: Road resurfacing with some sidewalk repair for the following streets: Jackson St W (Queen to Locke), Canada St (Queen to Locke), Hunter St W (Queen to Richmond), Homewood Ave (Dundurn to MacDonald), Beulah Ave, Miles Crt, South St (Mountain to Dundurn), Glenfern (Undermount to Mountain)
• Status: Two construction seasons -
  • Fall 2026 - Jackson St W, Canada St, Hunter St W
  • Spring-Summer 2027 - South St, Glenfern (Undermount to Mountain), Miles Crt, and Beulah Ave. Homewood Ave (Dundurn to MacDonald) specifically once school is out in 2007.

DUNDURN STREET SOUTH RESURFACING - (King St W to Main St W)

• Scope: Resurfacing only 
• Status: Expected Fall 2026
• Note: This section was originally part of a larger resurfacing project; it was split off in order to proceed this year. The section between Hill St and Main St W requires CPKC permits among others, and the sidewalk walk occupancy permit must be completed in 2027. 

---

Park Project Updates

Churchill Park Phase 3

• Completion of foundation wall concrete pouring in area of washroom facility;
• Commencement of stair/ramp concrete pours in area of washroom facility; and
• Addressing minor deficiencies and outstanding items in teaching and west walkway areas.
• Note: The contractor will be on site tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, 2026, to pour concrete.

H.A.A.A

• Completion of water service construction and water service commissioning
• Subdrain installation
• Continue build-up of granular surfaces, grading of softscape areas
• Construction of curbs around running track, skate dot foundations

Alexander Skate Park

Construction restarted on August 10th, as previously reported. Excavation, shoring and dewatering are the primary actions this season, with concrete work and details coming in spring 2027.

---

Chedoke Golf Club Consultation

Residents are advised that public consultation on Chedoke Golf Club will begin on August 17, 2026 through the Engage Hamilton portal. Residents will be invited to share their perspectives and feedback through the Chedoke Golf Club project page on the portal.

This consultation is part of a larger comprehensive feasibility study of the Chedoke Golf Club lands. The purpose of the study is NOT to determine whether golf should end at Chedoke. Rather, it evaluates whether complementary public uses could exist alongside affordable public golf. For more information on the study, please consult the previous edition of the Ward 1 Newsletter where the scope and purpose of the study are laid out in detail.

---

Great Lakes Plastics Clean-up

On August 4th, Councillor Wilson participated in a local Great Lakes Plastics Clean-up (GLPC) event at the Hamilton Waterfront. The GLPC is an initiative of Pollution Probe and the Council of the Great Lakes Region and uses innovative debris-capture technology to help ensure plastics and other harmful items do not linger in our waters. Volunteers analyse the plastics that are collected to log information about pollution sources and garbage pathways. This helps the GLPC work together with local communities, governments, industries, and consumers on strategies to reduce plastic pollution in our waterways.

Since 2020, the GLPC has filtered over 12.2 billion litres of water, with hundreds of volunteers logging their findings and removing harmful debris from our water. During this event, Councillor Wilson helped remove micro plastics, plastic wrappers and cigarette butts from the water alongside dedicated volunteers, using tweezers to sort through the small, but harmful materials.

There are plenty of ways residents can help keep our waterways clean. You can learn about how the community is working to protect Hamilton Harbour and our watershed by consulting the City of Hamilton's Watershed Action Plan. You can also consult the City's Clean Harbour Projects page to read about projects like the Cootes Paradise Fishway, the Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project, and the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan. Residents can also help keep plastics out of our water by removing them from our community's public spaces through a Team Up to Clean Up event. These events, typically held in the spring or fall, involve registering an event, collecting supplies free from the City, and cleaning up the public spaces in your community. You can register your own event or consult groups like Beautiful Alleys, who host regular clean-ups in our community.

---

Off-campus Move-in Information

It's getting closer to move-in time for McMaster students who live off campus in our community. In the lead-up to and during move-in, there are steps taken to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all residents in near-campus communities.

Postcards with important waste collection and recycling information are being mailed to households across west Hamilton. The City of Hamilton waste guide and trash tags will be mailed to student-occupied homes (please note that additional tags and guides are available through the Ward 1 office). By-law will begin proactive waste enforcement between August 31 and September 11. And City staff will be at McMaster Student Union-hosted events in September to speak with students about proper waste management and their responsibility as neighbours.

---

Clear the Sidewalk, Please.

Every year, the Ward 1 office receives complaints about gardens and bushes impeding the sidewalk. The issue isn't the foliage itself, but when it's left unattended, it tends to fall onto the sidewalks, further reducing an already narrow area. 

Hedges, shrubs, and other plant material are permitted on the boulevards provided they do not interfere with the functioning of the sidewalks and roadways. Hamilton's Fence Bylaw 10-142 referencing hedges and the Streets Bylaw 87-077 state that foliage must not overhang the sidewalk, shoulder or roadway. 

So do your neighbours a solid and make sure your beautiful flora is off the sidewalk; that way more people can come and admire your gardens. 

---

Tenant Guide

As we get closer to "Back To School", it will be time for students and those affiliated with Hamilton's post-secondary institutions to find accommodation close to where they study and work. Early September is also a time for many people to move apartments or find a different home in Hamilton.

Whether you're a student, a renter, or know someone who is a tenant, the City of Hamilton's Tenant Guide is a helpful resource. The Tenant Guide is designed to be a clear, accessible, and practical resource for tenants living in Hamilton, created in consultation with Hamilton renters and community organizations. It reflects Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and local by-laws, while also pointing you toward community-based support and resources available right here in Hamilton. 

The Tenant Guide can help with questions, concerns, or general information on your rights as a tenant. Residents can also contact [email protected] with other questions.

---

In Case You Missed It

The Ward 1 newsletter comes out every two weeks. We include important information for residents about events, policies, and programs that may interest you. Here are some pieces from past editions that you might have missed:

• Staying Safe and Preventing West Nile
  • West Nile Virus has been identified in mosquitos in the City of Hamilton. Hamilton's Chief Medical Officer of Health has upgraded the WNV risk in Hamilton from "low" to "moderate". Learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from West Nile.
• Air Quality and Black Soot
  • Recent stories about "black soot" and other industrial pollutants in Hamilton have led some residents to ask important questions. Residents can report incidents to Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP). Residents can also check out the resources provided by Environment Hamilton on air quality as it relates to industrial production.
• Summer HPL Programming
  • HPL offers programs and special events for all ages, including computer classes, knitting, crafts, book clubs, digital technology and more. Find programs and events and a plethora of other resources at the Hamilton Public Library.
• Changes to the Municipal Accommodation Tax
  • As of July 1, 2026, operators of licensed short-term rentals (STRs), such as accommodations listed on Airbnb, VRBO, and other STR sites, will also be required to collect, report, and remit Hamilton's Municipal Accommodation Tax. The first payment is due on October 15, 2026.
• New Online Permit Application Portal
  • The City of Hamilton has launched a new online permit application portal available through my.hamilton.ca. Users can apply for building permits, submit planning applications, apply for business licences, submit by-law requests or complaints, and track all their applications and requests through the portal.

---

Lights Out for Bird Migration Season

Bird migration season has begun! This important time for many birds occurs between August and November as birds make their way to their wintering grounds. 

You can help birds arrive safely by turning off non-essential lighting and/or closing blinds at night (11:00 PM to 6:00 AM) from now until mid-November. Many bird species migrate at night and rely on natural cues like the moon and stars for navigation. Artificial lights disorient them, luring them into urban areas where they collide with glass or become exhausted from circling. By turning off or dimming unnecessary lights during migration, cities can help birds navigate safely and conserve their energy for their long journeys.

In addition to turning off non-essential lights at night, you can also help birds this fall by keeping your feline friends indoors and by making your windows bird-safe.

The folks at Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington have tips and tricks on how you can make your house and your community bird-friendly, as well as other resources around bird conservation efforts.

---

Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton

The Engage Hamilton portal offers residents an opportunity to help shape the future of our city. Residents can provide important feedback, offer their unique insights, and help inform Hamilton's direction.

There are currently some opportunities to participate that may be of interest to Ward 1 residents:

• Rental Housing Licencing Program
  • In August 2021, City Council approved a two-year Rental Housing Licensing pilot program for Wards 1, 8 and parts of Ward 14 in Hamilton. The pilot program required property owners of rental housing in those applicable areas to apply for a licence for each rented unit. The application period ran from 2022-2023, with the Pilot starting January 1, 2024, running until December 31, 2025. The rental housing licensing program is intended to protect the health and safety of tenants and residents by holding landlords and property owners accountable for providing adequate and safe housing options. The City of Hamilton is now collecting feedback from residents about the program. Surveys will close on August 24, 2026, and are targeted toward stakeholders:
    • Tenant/Renter Survey
    • Landlord/Property Management Company Survey
    • General Public Survey

• Hamilton's Economic Development Action Plan 2026-2030
  • This year, the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Office (EDO) is creating a new 2026-2030 economic development action plan. The previous economic development action plan reported several major successes, including the creation of approximately 7.7 million square feet of new industrial and commercial development. $2.5 billion in building permit values, and an estimated 11 percent increase in the number of jobs in Hamilton. Now, the City's EDO is developing a new plan and wants to hear from residents and local business owners to understand how economic changes have affected Hamiltonians. This 20-question survey will help the EDO build an economic development action plan that will guide Hamilton to 2030. The Economic Development Action Plan Survey is open until September 15, 2026.

---

Events - Ward 1

Garden Journeys

• August 14-16, 2026; Times vary by garden
• Locations: Various, including 10 gardens in Ward 1
• Close to 60 eco-friendly gardens across Hamilton will be open for you to visit during the Garden Journeys Open Days event, free of charge and without tickets. Meet and talk to gardeners on their journey to build sustainable gardens that support biodiversity. Each garden is unique and offers a glimpse into what is possible when creativity, care, and nature come together.

Sundays Unlocked Open Street

• August 16, September 20, and  October 18, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Location: Locke Street BIA, Locke St S, Herkimer St to Hunter St W
• Enjoy the sights, sounds, and shops of Locke Street South during this summer's Sundays UNLocked Open Street. Locke Street South will be pedestrian-only as Locke's merchants and community partners take over the street for a friendly and fun festival.

Westdale Live (June–October) 

• Tuesdays from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Westdale Village BIA, Marion St to Paisley Ave
• Head on down to Westdale Village for summer evenings of live music, every week on the patios in the heart of Westdale!

Local Farmers Markets

• Good things grow in Ontario! Ward 1's delicious and local farmers' markets have returned for the season. Stop by and pick up some local produce, chat with your neighbours, and meet the people behind your food. This year, Ward 1 has two weekly farmers' markets to choose from:
  • The Locke Street Farmers Market - 260 Locke Street South (in the Locke Street Tire and Automotive Parking Lot) - every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • The Westdale Village Farmers Market - King Street West @ Marion Avenue - Every Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

---

Events - Explore Your City

Salsa On the Waterfront

• Every Tuesday evening until the end of August. 7:00 PM Start
• Location: Pier 8 - Waterfront Stage, 47  Discovery Dr, Hamilton
• As the sun sets across the water and the exquisite sounds of salsa, bachata, and merengue music fill the air, you will feel like you are on a vacation!
  • All ages are welcome. No partner or experience required.
  • All events begin with a beginner Latin dance lesson at 7:00 PM, followed by social dancing 7:30-10:30 pm
  • Free event, weather permitting

West Harbour HPL Branch Opening

• August 15, 2026, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: West Harbour Hamilton Public Library Branch, 77 Harbourside Way
• Join the HPL for an Opening Ceremony for the new West Harbour branch that centres Indigenous histories and cultures. The Indigenous Opening Ceremony of the West Harbour Branch brings together members from neighbouring First Nations and Hamilton's urban Indigenous community to share teachings, songs, drumming, dance and more. Note that the West Harbour Branch is now open for users seven days a week. 

Industrial Impacts Past and Present Bike Tour

• August 20, 2026, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Starts at the Bayfront Park SoBi Bike Share Hub (Bay St N at Strachan St W)
• On Thursday August 20, Environment Hamilton and Hamilton Bike Share are hosting an Industrial Impacts Past & Present Cycling Tour leaving from the Bayfront Park bike share hub (Bay St N at Strachan St W under the Waterfront Trail sail post). The ride will be just over 10 km with stops and will end by 8pm. Cycling tour leads will discuss the impacts of industry, legacy pollution, and waste dumping. Sign up online and enjoy an informative cycle, using either your own bike or a SoBi rental!

Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour

• August 23, 2026, 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Location: Woodward Ave Wastewater Treatment Facility
• Hamilton Water is pleased to invite residents to the second Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour of the summer. These tours provide a guided look inside the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant and the important role it plays in managing wastewater for Hamilton's communities and Hamilton Harbour. During the free, 45-minute bus tour, visitors will also see how the facility operates as part of Hamilton’s broader wastewater system. The event includes family-friendly activities, such as "Touch-A-Truck" with Hamilton Water staff, miniature train rides operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers, and self-guided tours of the historic 1859 Waterworks. Spaces are limited, so register today!

Ability First Accessibility Fair 2026

• September 4, 2026, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Location: Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St W
• The City of Hamilton and the Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities invite community members to the 5th annual "Ability First" Accessibility Fair on the forecourt of Hamilton City Hall. At the fair, the City's 3rd annual "Accessibility Awards" ceremony will occur. Come by for children's art and activity stations, tactile exploration stations, service dog demonstrations, exhibitors, and so much more!

Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music

• Now 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 Chronicles - The Back Stories

Ainslie's Wood	The Dundurn Gardener's Cottage
West End Weather	Sydney St
The Life and Architecture of Stanley Roscoe	Rolph Gate
The Mountain Ave Maternity Hospital	The Rifle Range

---

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: