Wednesday 28 September 2016

Open House Information Centre a Great Success!

Wow! Residents came out in relatively large numbers to view the information boards set up by Councillor Karen Ras and City of Mississauga staff last night in Birch Glen Park. They were able to ask questions, make comments and suggestions. And moreso, they saw the vision that the City has for multiple improvements to the park area -- its pathways, retaining walls, the children's playground and lighting.

A really big thank you to Councillor Ras for bringing this Information Open House to us, and for holding it in our neighbourhood -- in the place where the project will actually happen. Thankfully, the weather cooperated (we just wish the mosquitoes had stayed away!). 

This is a major improvement project that has been on the books for about 7 years, but was recently fast-tracked due to an infusion of Federal Infrastructure money that will see improvements for our playground and pathways, as well as the children's playground in Birchwood Paark (near the baseball diamonds and soccer pitches) and along Sheridan Creek Trail. We feel extremely fortunate that our own Birch Glen Park has been selected to receive this much needed upgrade.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures last night. However, I can tell you that the pavilion set up in the park was filled with residents who were interested in knowing what was in store for the park and creek area. The last stragglers left just after 7:00 p.m., as the sun was going down. A great evenihng!

We cannot publish all of the details at this time, but will update you as information comes in. What we do know is that both the east/west and north/south pathways will be repaved, that new retaining walls will be installed along the north/south pathway from Kos Blvd. to Ithaca/Lefkas. The planter boxes in this area will be removed and replaced. And the children's playground will be replaced with modern equipment. Again, we do not have the final details. Last night's open house provided the City with a great deal of feedback.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of the culvert under Kos Blvd. is still happening. 

We will keep you informed as to when the work will be underway for both of these projects. And we will provide links to the project when they become available.

We would be interested in your comments on the evening and the presentation. 

Tuesday 27 September 2016

REMEMBER! Open House Information Centre in Birch Glen Park TONIGHT!

just a reminder that the Information Centre open house on improvements to the playground and pathways of our very own Birch Glen park is happening tonight -- Tuesday, September 27, 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Please remember to show up and have your say.

In talking with residents about this, there seemed to be some confusion as to which of our parks is meant. We have two parks in the neighbourhood; the big one to the west that has the basketball pad is Birchwood Park and the smaller one in the middle of the neighbourhood (with the pathways, children's playground and bridge) is Birch Glen Park. We have attached a drawing of the location below.


So -- make your way to the centre of this map. It is easy to get to from anywhere in the neighbourhood. Or just follow the crowd!

We hope this clarifies the confusion. See you there tonight between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Drop by to view the panel boards and to speak with Councillor Karen Ras and City staff.

Saturday 17 September 2016

Information Open House for Birch Glen Park Improvements

We are asking you to mark your calendars for this event:
Date:   Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Time:   6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Place:   Birch Glen Park, by the Children's Playground and Bridge

By now, you will have received a notification from the City of Mississauga Parks Department with the above date, time and place. An open house is being held here in the neighbourhood to provide information to the residents regarding upcoming improvements to our Birch Glen Park. The City has received some infrastructure funding to make improvements to our playground, pathways, bridge, retaining walls and lighting within the park.

We are not privy to all of the details, which is why we are going to attend the Open House in the park on Tuesday, September 27. We hope that everyone will make the effort to come out to see the plans and to have discussions with City staff about these improvements.  This is your opportunity to have your say about what you think is appropriate for our neighbourhood!

We are extremely fortunate in this circumstance:  within Ward 2, there were two playgrounds and two "trails" that were chosen to receive the infrastructure funding and our neighbourhood playground and pathways make up two of the four projects. (The other playground is in Birchwood Park by the baseball diamonds; the other trail is the Sheridan Creek Trail).

This will be a substantial improvement to the park/pathway gem we have in the centre of our neighbourhood. The current playground is nearly 20 years old; the pathways were revamped around 15 years ago; and the retaining walls are the originals built in 1978.

So, show your pride in Birch Glen and indicate your interest by coming out on September 27. You don 't have to travel far to attend -- just make your way to the children's playground by the bridge over the creek.