Here’s a roundup of the details of my platform that I shared on social media this past week.
Sullivan’s Pond
Sullivan’s Pond is a beloved park. It’s Dartmouth’s version of the public gardens, with its well-tended flower beds and shrubs and, of course, our feathered mascots. It’s a space we’re very lucky to have!
A major project is coming up at Sullivan’s Pond. The retaining walls that ring most of the pond are nearing the end of their life and will need to be replaced. Rather than just replace the walls as is, there is an opportunity to combine projects to make other improvements in the Park at the same time.
Sullivan’s Pond is one of the most requested sites in Dartmouth for lighting and we’re missing a pathway on the Prince Albert Road side (a lot of people walk along the top of the retaining wall on the gravel top). With the retaining walls coming out, there will be an excellent opportunity to make lighting and pathway improvements.
If re-elected, I will push for a larger project at Sullivan’s Pond to meet the requests for lighting and to expand the park’s pathways on the Prince Albert Road side. Dartmouth, we do great things together.
Urban Foresty
Some tree hugging with this item! Finish the updated urban forestry plan, meet the 7 year maintenance schedule, and increase tree planting.
Trees provide a lot of benefit to HRM. They provide habitat, store carbon, remove pollution from the air, cool their surroundings, reduce speeding, absorb stormwater, beautify our neighbourhoods, and more. Trees are one of the only assets that get more valuable as they age! Trees provide so much benefit to HRM, that its worth the effort to prune and manage them. Check out the video below on why they’re so important to HRM.
Since 2013, HRM has had an urban forestry plan that committed the municipality to both visiting each tree every 7 years for preventative maintenance, and tree planting targets (2,670 a year for 10 years).
HRM hasn’t done badly at the maintenance cycle, but ended up only hitting 70% of the planting target, something that would have been much much worse if it hadn’t been for my constant advocacy.
Unfortunately, severe storms like Dorion have meant that HRM has lost more trees than expected as brittle and aging Norway Maples have come down in high winds (hindsight for 50 years ago, not a great species to have planted).
We need to do better with the updated urban forestry plan. We need to set a robust planting target and then we actually have to follow through. If re-elected, I will support the new plan and push to expand HRM’s tree planting program and meet the maintenance targets. Dartmouth, we do great things together
Redesign Alderney Drive
Alderney Drive is a key road in Dartmouth, connecting the Bridge to Downtown. Despite its Downtown location, it was built as a suburban style parkway rather than an urban street. HRM currently has a planning project underway to imagine a different future for this key road.
Alderney Drive could be a street that prioritizes transit, with lanes running from Wyse Road to the new intersection with Dundas. It could also be a street that connects the Harbour Trail to the Wyse Road bike lanes, providing a safe link for cyclists to the Macdonald Bridge.
A different future for Alderney is possible, one where the roar of vehicle traffic right up against the sidewalk is replaced with the hum of electric buses. Where cyclists and pedestrians have their own separate safe spaces. Where its pleasant to take transit, cycle, and walk.
If re-elected, I will see the planning process for Alderney Drive through and push to get this project included in future capital budgets. Dartmouth, we do great things together
This sounds positive and feasible, Sam. Can we bring back a few more geese? Five seems so odd. None of us can do anything about the wind tunnels caused by the two big buildings. One must always remember to batten down one’s hat when approaching Alderney- or close the umbrella. 🙂
Yes,very worried that one of Dartmouths signature, and beloved by so many..our geese, are almost extinct!
And yes I know ,not exactly the biggest issue of the day..but they do give a lot of people a reason to smile!
They’re not going anywhere. Parks isn’t going to be adding more as they’re easier to manage when there aren’t 12 of them, but in the years ahead there will be new additions as the current geese age.
what happened to the lights in Sullivan’s pond?
The fountain is out of commission right now as the old pump failed. HRM has had some supply chain issues getting replacement parts. It will be back up and running soon, but I can’t say exactly when.
Will there ever be a completion of the waterfront trail from Alderney to Woodside? It’s ridiculous how long this has been left unfinished.
Yes. It’s been in the budget to build the Parker to Old Ferry Road piece now for three years, but we keep getting last minute objections from CN whose cooperation we need. HRM is leasing land from CN and it has been very difficult getting their agreement. I’m confident it will happen, but it’s slow going.