Construction begins on park improvement designs and walking trail extensions in Ponoka

At the top of the green bridge at the north end of the river valley trail system – The new trail segment will extend from the parking lot located at the bridge, and will connect with a new crosswalk that crosses 49 Street to the existing sidewalk on 57 Avenue, which then connects with a second new trail segment at 50 St.

At the new parking lot on 50 Street across from the Ponoka Civic Centre – The new trail segment will connect the parking lot with two new crosswalks: one leading across 57 Street to the existing sidewalk, and one leading across 50 Street to the existing sidewalk that connects with a new walking trail segment leading to the Old Hospital Rotary Park.

Beside the Ponoka Civic Centre – This new trail segment connects the 50 Street sidewalk with new walkways through Old Hospital Rotary Park. The Town’s existing sidewalk system will then connect that park with Central Park and Lions Centennial Park, creating a continuous walking path between these parks and Ponoka’s river valley trail system via the three new trail segments.

Officials say the new park designs and trail segments are based on recommendations in the Town’s Recreation and Culture Master Plan (2016-2036) and the Urban Framework Master Plan (2020). The park improvement designs were developed in consultation with the Ponoka Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee along with other community groups.

“These new park designs and trail segments will greatly enrich the quality of life that we already enjoy here in Ponoka,” says Margo Kusiek, Chair of the Ponoka Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee, in a press release. “Our Recreation Master Plan and community surveys have shown repeatedly that our citizens place a high priority on the development and maintenance of our parks and trail system in Ponoka. These new trail segments will connect our parks to our existing river valley trails, and the new park designs will provide us with different types of green spaces for relaxation, physical activity, and the enjoyment of nature in a community that already has many beautiful playgrounds.”

The key features of the new park designs at Old Hospital Rotary Park and Central Park will include the following:

Old Hospital Rotary Park

The preservation of existing mature trees along the south and west edges of the park space; a central walkway that provides a connection from 50 Street and the Ponoka Civic Centre to 51 Street; a central amphitheatre space, complete with a labyrinth; sheltered outdoor classroom areas that serve as an extension of the Library and Learning Centre located inside the Ponoka Civic Centre; an edible garden landscape; and park lighting and seating furniture.

Central Park

Preservation of existing trees throughout the park; the removal of old recreation, playground and site furnishings and features; berm/hill relocation; a central circular walkway that connects 52 Street to 54 Avenue Close; a central lawn space for passive and active recreation; seating furniture located along the circular walkway and in a small plaza space on the southeast corner of the park; and open space for the potential future development of an adventure playground.

Virtual tours of the new park designs can be viewed at www.ponoka.ca.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Construction begins on park improvement designs and walking trail extensions in Ponoka

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