Smiths Falls director responds to public input with plans for a more accessible beach, pickleball courts, and other recreational upgrades

LAURIE WEIR

The Town of Smiths Falls has two big recreational projects on the agenda, including the redesign of Lower Reach Park and a feasibility study on the Youth Arena.

Public input has been coming in, and Stephanie Clark, the town’s director of community services, said she’s excited about the feedback. She is preparing both reports for council in March.

At Lower Reach Park, a redesign includes a new, more accessible beach area, but as Clark noted, it won’t necessarily preclude the town from keeping the one at Murphy Park.

“We would love this area (Lower Reach Park) for a beach,” she said. “It is much more accessible—given that it’s not at the base of a hill—than our current beach/”

Of course, this won’t be feasible without approval from Parks Canada and other relevant regulatory bodies, she said. 

When asked about moving the dog park from its current location to a spot closer to the road, Clark said their consultant felt this was a “reasonable solution” for ball diamond users and dog owners who frequent the park.

“Backstop fencing would be in place, so the likelihood of balls entering the proposed dog park along the first baseline would be minimal,” Clark said. “The location would also be protected, with privacy created through landscaping so there is separation from the road with dense shrubbery along the perimeter of the fence line.”

Clark said they have received mixed reviews on this proposal “but are confident that this new configuration would minimize conflict. The addition of delineated parking will also go a long way in minimizing some of the hot spots between the two facilities.”

When asked if they had considered relocating the dog park to a different space, Clark said they would like to keep it at Lower Reach Park, as this is the original location.

“Given the space needed, there are limited options unless we look to moving the location elsewhere in the community,” she said, adding that they have not considered this option to date.

“We are certainly not against considering other options, but we do have limited options,” she said.

Regarding the pump track, Clark was asked about utilizing the one recently built in Rideau Lakes Township at the Ronald E. Holman Complex in Lombardy. This facility was built with the help of a $50,000 contribution from the Gerry Lowe Committee, which helped bring the Sens outdoor rink to town.

Clark said she couldn’t speak to the Lombardy pump track’s usage.

“But I do know that this type of infrastructure would be a great addition to Lower Reach Park,” she said. “The current concept plan does suggest a pump track. However, based on trends, funding, and available equipment, we would also consider skate and/or scooter park equipment in this location as well.”

Pickleball courts have also been included in the Lower Reach Park redesign.

“We heard the crowds,” Clark said of community pickle ball players expressing concerns about not having enough space for the sport.

“Pickleball is definitely on the rise, and we want to make sure that we have enough space for them,” she said.

As for the tennis courts at the Youth Arena, Clark said the cracks were repaired last year, and further repairs will be made to the courts at Lower Reach Park this spring.

“The cracks in the tennis courts at Lower Reach are slated for repair this spring, and the lines will be added for pickleball as well,” she said.

Regarding the lawn bowling facility, Clark said it is currently being used as temporary storage for community services, and the Youth Arena feasibility study does not focus on that space.

“Formal plans will be made to address it in the future,” she said. “What will become of the facility will largely depend on what happens with the Youth Arena. Stay tuned for more!”

Both the Lower Reach Park and Youth Arena studies “should appear” on the agenda in March, she said.

“There’s a lot going on for sure, but we have a great team here, and we are excited by the community response.”