Construction and updates to five parks in Welland – Chippawa, Cooks Mills, Elmwood, Glenwood, and Sparrow Meadows – are behind schedule due to unanticipated and unavoidable delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff and contractors expected delays upon each park’s awarding and initial construction meetings; however, they have increased by an additional four-to-six weeks.

“We’ve seen and heard of many projects, and not just with parks, being delayed as a result of lack of availability of materials,” said Rob Axiak, director of community services. “It’s frustrating for all those involved, but it will be worth the wait. We plan to adapt to these changing timelines and do what we can to have the parks ready as soon as possible for everyone to enjoy.”

To keep the existing playgrounds operational for as long as possible, breaking ground this fall was determined to be the most practical approach.

The following are updates to each park:

Chippawa Park

• Excavation, drainage and concrete work to commence late October. Weather permitting, the majority of the landscape-related works are to be completed in fall 2021.
• Play Equipment supply and installation anticipated February/March 2022 (weather permitting).
• Rubber Surfacing and final landscape work April/May 2022.

Cooks Mills Park

• Excavation, drainage and concrete work to commence early November. Weather permitting, the majority of the landscape-related works are to be completed in fall 2021.
• Play Equipment supply and installation anticipated March/April 2022 (weather permitting).
• Rubber Surfacing and final landscape works May / June 2022.

Elmwood Park

• Excavation, drainage and concrete work to commence early November. Weather permitting, the majority of the landscape-related works are to be completed in fall 2021.
• Play Equipment supply and installation anticipated March/April 2022 (weather permitting).
• Rubber Surfacing and final landscape works May / June 2022.

Glenwood Park

• Excavation, drainage and concrete work to commence mid to late November. Weather permitting, the majority of the landscape-related works are to be completed in fall 2021.
• Play Equipment supply and installation anticipated April / May 2022 (weather permitting).
• Rubber Surfacing and final landscape works May / June 2022.

Sparrow Meadows Park

• Work on the design phase of this park is currently underway. Part 3 (current phase) – a rendered park design is posted to the City’ YourChannel’ website for additional public input. Currently, the consultant is preparing a request for quotation for play equipment suppliers to submit designs. The submissions received will be posted online in late November for the public to provide input as to their preferred play equipment design and preferred park elements. This will assist in the preparation of the final park design for tendering in January/February 2022. Part 4 – Spring 2022 is anticipated (weather permitting) for the start of construction. The intent is to have the park completed in Fall 2022.

As with the currently projected timelines, additional delays could occur. As the City receives updates, staff will share them with the community through various print and digital channels.