According to director of operations and protective services for the Town, Tarmo Uukkivi, about five mature trees, predominantly evergreens, need to come down at River Mill Park as part of the siteplan preparation for new permanent washroom facilities at the park.
The permanent washrooms came about thanks to the generous donation of $300,000 by Huntsville resident Margaret Conner whose name was finally released at the January 11 special council meeting.
In terms of tree removal, Uukkivi, told council that approximately four trees along the hydro line by where the bathrooms will be located and one additional one further along the line should come down for safety purposes. He said the trees have already been weakened due to line clearing and some have had all, if not most, of their limbs removed.
Councillor Jason FitzGerald brought up the idea of removing overhead hydro lines and burying them instead. Council heard that that conversation could take place as part of a wider parks strategy but that staff needed direction in order to proceed with getting permanent washrooms at the park for spring.
Council approved the motion but asked that the word “all” referring to the trees on the site be removed. The resolution specifies that the trees to be removed are damaged or diseased and pose public and property safety. The resolution also instructs staff to finish the project with landscaping that includes “planting of traditional Indigenous Peoples’ medicines – including cedar and sweetgrass – together with replacement trees of appropriate species in appropriate locations.”
The bathroom will be fully accessible and self-cleaning. Following an RFP process, it is being sourced from NIU smart toilet.
Uukkivi also clarified that a walking trail proposed would be cleared of brush, not trees. It will run from West Street North – between Susan Street East and Caroline Street East – into River Mill Park, ending at the site of the new washroom facility. The walking path will initially be covered in mulch and staff are expected to return to council with a recommendation for a permanent surface.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: