This draft version of the Head Lake Park master plan includes many upgrades to the popular public space in Haliburton to be considered over the next two decades. Beach improvements (1) include accessible walkway to high water mark, importing beach sand, new curbing and shade trees. A splash pad is shown (2) and would become the main entrance at the north end of the park. Tree planting is shown as (3). An off-leash dog park is (4). Beach improvements (5) include extending the paved surface from the pathway to the beach and a pollinator garden. An extended pathway for accessibility at the stage area is shown at (6).A new bridge to allow park maintenance vehicles and new pathway on the river’s edge connecting north are shown at (7). The fountain would be reconstructed to meet public health requirements (8). A formal event tent space is envisioned at (9). Decorative paving and curbing at (10), the visitor centre (11). A sidewalk around the parking lot and new barrier curb is shown at (12). Number (13) shows a new north-end pathway linking Park Street and Victoria Street. A new bridge is shown at (14), and an entrance from Victoria Street at (15). Naturalized plantings are (16). The green space includes reinforced turf and removing raised area to extend usable space (17). New pathway system is (18), and a pathway with the potential for plaza with picnic tables near the library (19). The playground area altered slightly with shade pavilion (20). By Jenn Watt
Using feedback gathered from stakeholders last year, architecture firm Basterfield and Associates returned to Haliburton last week with a conceptual master plan for Head Lake Park that includes an off-leash dog park, splash pad, additional pathways, and several upgrades to existing features.
The plan was presented via Zoom to stakeholders on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and feedback gathered during that session will be integrated into the plan that is presented to Dysart et al council to be adopted later this year.
Mayor Andrea Roberts called the plan exciting and said it will guide council in its work.
“The plan was done with public input from user groups and takes into account all elements, users and it’s a vision for the next 20 years,” she told the Echo.
The mayor said the plan would be implemented slowly over time, and that grants will be necessary to bring the vision to fruition, adding that she was hopeful a grant application to do work on the north end of the park will be successful this year.
“All one needs to do is look at pictures from 40 years ago and see [how] much this area has changed,” Roberts said, pointing out the park is the former site of the rail end and sawmill. “Since I’ve lived here I have attended so many festivals and events, swam at the beach, taken kids to the playground, had picnics, and enjoyed the green space by Head Lake. Creating a master plan is expressing how important this piece of real estate is and that it will take time and money to bring it to its full potential for many, many years to come.”
The plan was presented via Zoom to stakeholders on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and feedback gathered during that session will be integrated into the plan that is presented to Dysart et al council to be adopted later this year.
Mayor Andrea Roberts called the plan exciting and said it will guide council in its work.
“The plan was done with public input from user groups and takes into account all elements, users and it’s a vision for the next 20 years,” she told the Echo.
The mayor said the plan would be implemented slowly over time, and that grants will be necessary to bring the vision to fruition, adding that she was hopeful a grant application to do work on the north end of the park will be successful this year.
“All one needs to do is look at pictures from 40 years ago and see [how] much this area has changed,” Roberts said, pointing out the park is the former site of the rail end and sawmill. “Since I’ve lived here I have attended so many festivals and events, swam at the beach, taken kids to the playground, had picnics, and enjoyed the green space by Head Lake. Creating a master plan is expressing how important this piece of real estate is and that it will take time and money to bring it to its full potential for many, many years to come.”
