LAURIE WEIR
SMITHS FALLS – Town council has adopted a long-term vision for Lower Reach Park, approving the redesign in principle at its Aug. 11 meeting. The plan will act as a framework for phased investment, with each stage subject to future council approval and budget deliberations.
The redesign follows extensive consultation with residents, sports groups, youth and community partners. More than 300 survey responses, workshops and a public open house helped shape the final concept, which aims to modernize the park, address aging infrastructure, and improve accessibility, safety and functionality.
Lower Reach Park, once a landfill before its transformation in the 1970s, is the town’s largest green space and a central waterfront venue for recreation and events.
Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark said no new funding is required at this stage. The redesign will proceed in phases, with future projects brought forward through the capital budget process and external funding opportunities.
“We think we had about 3,500 people there packed into the tight little space for the drone show (during Old Home Week), so it is very well used and very well loved,” Clark said. “We’d like to make sure we have decades more use coming out of it in a nice way.”
Public engagement identified top priorities such as expanded sports facilities, improved parking and circulation, accessible washrooms and storage, better pedestrian and cycling connections, inclusive playgrounds, and an upgraded splashpad. Park users also highlighted the need for shaded seating, dedicated event space, naturalized shorelines and more trees.
Key features of the redesign
The concept plan includes:
- Upgraded pathways, crossings and lighting to improve safety and accessibility.
- Redesigned sports areas, including relocated and upgraded ball diamonds, a full-size soccer and football field, and new pickleball and bocce courts.
- New amenities such as a performance stage, activity plaza, inclusive playgrounds and a relocated splashpad.
- A feasibility study for a swimming beach.
- A parking strategy with more than 400 spaces across five zones.
- Relocation of Gleeson Dog Park to a new waterfront location, improving safety and reducing conflicts with other amenities.
- Environmental enhancements such as naturalized shoreline treatments, permeable surfaces and tree planting.
Next steps
Coun. Jennifer Miller said she appreciated the “road map” the redesign provides. “It’s not going to happen tomorrow, this term, or even next term, but I think this helps guide the decisions that will be made in the future,” she said.
Mayor Shawn Pankow said spending time at the park during Old Home Week underscored some of its limitations. “The design does impede some of the things we’d like to see,” he said. “I’m looking forward to budget discussions and how we’re going to approach the redevelopment.”
Coun. Jay Brennan called the design “really good” and joked that he hoped progress would be made before the next Old Home Week in 2050.
“It’s one of the most comprehensive plans we’ve had and one of the highest for public participation in the design and feedback as we went along,” added Coun. Peter McKenna, who chaired the meeting. “That really gives me confidence in the plan because we’ve had such robust community engagement around it.”
Council adopted the plan unanimously in principle. Clark said she will bring the plan back to council this fall for funding opportunities during budget discussions.
To see the full concept plan for the Lower Reach Park redesign visit Town of Smiths Falls website.
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