MR Rehab Projects
Overview
As part of the municipality’s ongoing effort to maintain the various lots under its direct care and control (commonly referred to as the “green belts,” “municipal reserves,” or simply “MRs”), Council has initiated several MR rehabilitation projects through out the community. In addition, Council has adopted its most recent 5-year capital and operating plans inclusive of planned future maintenance and upkeep so that municipal lot maintenance remains a central consideration in community service delivery discussions going forward.
Of particular focus in these plans are the designated lots R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8, and R9, which are considered community spaces with a “mixed” use: green space, community nature park, and community access to the lake. Other lots – including the three Public Works lots (R7, 4006, and 4007) – are also considered in the plan, but with work plans more closely tied to the needs of Public Works.
What Work is Required
Each lot is unique, but in general Council is focusing on a set of common priorities:
- General Maintenance and Clean-Up – Making the lots more accessible, removing underbrush and overgrown/dead trees, reducing fire fuel load ( “FireSmarting”), making ongoing maintenance easier to keep up on, and removing debris and rubbish. In addition, general site grading and landscaping will make the lots more uniform, and tie them into the community drainage plan.
- Improving Community Spaces – Making the community spaces open and accessible within the community parks and green spaces network. Creating safe and open spaces for patrons to visit and share within each neighbourhoods/block. This will include some replanting of FireSmart endorsed trees and shrubs along the property lines but leaving the majority of the space open, and maintained as grassy lawn. This will also include replacement of the fences and improved signage on the lots.
- Mooring Plan Development – Rehabilitating the interface with the lake (shoreline rehabilitation) to allow for easier, safer, and more efficient sharing of lake access between dock owners and other lake users. This will include implementing a mooring strategy on municipal lots whereby predefined dock locations and access points will be standardized and simplified for fair and easy application, as well as balancing needs for all lake users.
2023/2024 Projects
Of course, field work in any given year is subject to budget and grant funding considerations. As such, Council has needed to prioritize which lots are addressed first and what scope of work is feasible/necessary for each unique lot.
In 2023, work began on R3, R4, R8 and R9 with significant mulching of the lots back to property line in most cases. In 2024, work will continue with the main focus to be on R8 and R9; these lots are being prioritized because they are the lots that we see the most demand for as “multi-use” lots – specifically demand for shared access to the lot and lake.
Based on feedback received, Council will also be considering the creation of a community volunteer clean-up committee to assist public works in some of the clean-up projects (tree removal and debris removal) ahead of future rehabilitation works.
Community Engagement and Sharing the Vision
In order to help communication the conceptual vision of this work, Council has prepared some conceptual drawing for R8 and R9 based feed back received to date. These drawings are not “prefect” but they give a good representation of what Council’s conceptual aim is, and in that are a great way to initiate and focus discussion during public engagement going forward.
During the May 18th, 2024 Shop Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Council also shared a presentation on the Municipal Reserve Rehabilitation Project. This presentation is attached here, including conceptual drawings and key project details:
Share Your Vision
Council remains committed to including the community in these projects as they progress, and to considering amendments to the overall plan to better suit the community perspective and vision. These types of generational projects need to balance the needs of today and the vision for the future. Your ideas can help find that balance.