Neighbours are concerned about a possible plan by Metrolinx to take over a portion of a city park in the west side of Guelph to build infrastructure it says will bring better rail service to the region.
On Thursday a public meeting has been planned to involve neighbours of Margaret Greene Park, city councillors, the mayor, city staff, the member of provincial parliament and hopefully a representative of Metrolinx, said Ward 4 councillor Christine Billings by phone on Tuesday.
“It’s an opportunity for the neighbours to connect with everyone and ask their questions,” said Billings. “It gives them an opportunity to have some of their concerns addressed.”
Billings said she has heard quite a lot of feedback from constituents in recent weeks about the proposal. A Facebook group titled: Save Our Greenspace: Margaret Greene Park was recently created to keep neighbours informed and engaged on the issue.
At issue for many is Metrolinx’s proposal to build a Traction Power Substation (TPS) on a portion of the park, which it says is necessary to electrify that portion of the tracks. Metrolinx characterized the park as 'vacant land' on the plans shared on its web site.
Margaret Greene Park hugs the Metrolinx tracks on its north end and is accessible from both Westwood Road and Ferman Drive. The park includes baseball and soccer fields, a playground, tennis courts, washroom facilities, among other amenities, and offers an area for dogs to be off leash.
The public meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the road entrance to the park off of Ferman Drive.
A number of locations were considered for the site of the TPS, said Fannie Sunshine, media spokesperson for Metrolinx.
“It is important to note the proposed TPS is not planned to encompass the entire parcel of land – rather, it will be situated in one portion on the site,” said Sunshine. “The conceptual design will be shared with the public as part of the next round of open houses planned for early next year.”
The TPS will require about 50 metres by 75 metres, says Metrolinx.
Some residents are also concerned that more streets will be closed at track level to road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as was done last month on Dublin Street.
Sunshine said there are five level crossings within Guelph. So far no additional closings are confirmed.
“The closure of Dublin Street in July 2020 was specific to the steep grade and challenging sight lines that made the crossing unsafe,” she said.
A website has been set up by Metrolinx to allow for greater public engagement on the projects, which includes an opportunity for residents to leave comments or ask questions.
The project is still in the early stages of assessment, planning and consultation, said Sunshine. Public consultations are planned to continue into the spring.
Billings would like to see the public consultation portion of the project prolonged, in part due to the effect COVID-19 has had on holding in-person engagement, like open houses.
“To me, that should be extended at a bare minimum,” said Billings.
