An update on the temporary road closure at Wychwood and Scarlett –
Should only be a few more days. The base coat of asphalt is down and the
temporary curbs are installed. The contractor didn’t want traffic on
the fresh pavement for a few days. There is only about a day and half of
onsite cleanup. Today is likely a washout because of the rain but they should
be done towards the end of the week.
Giving Tuesday
Today is GIVING TUESDAY. Consider joining a number of residents who have already made a contribution to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority for projects in the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area (ESA). This opportunity comes with the City committing to improve access to the Valley by building a new boardwalk and swale (to reduce the effects of runoff) from the entrance to the ESA at Longbow and Wychwood this spring. And a reminder… a resident has pledged to match all donations made in 2019 up to $10,000. Money raised will be used for projects such as invasive species management.
1. You can mail a cheque made out to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and mail it to 1424 Clarke Road, London, Ontario, N5V 5B9. Include a note that the funds are for the Wychwood Boardwalk.
2. Call the UTRCA at 519-451-2800 x 231 and Denise Quick, or anyone in accounting, will take a credit card number over the phone for a donation. Mention that the funds are for the Wychwood Boardwalk.
3. Go to www.thamesriverdonations.ca. Once there, under ‘Ways to Help’, scroll down to ‘Green Our Watershed’. Once there, choose to donate via either Paypal or credit card. Be sure to click “Add Special Instructions to the Vendor” where you can indicate that the donation is for the Wychwood Boardwalk.
4. Go to www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/upper-thames-river-conservation-authority/ (an immediate tax receipt is provided).
Coyote Reminder
The Medway Valley is habitat for coyotes. Sometimes they are seen near dawn and dusk even on the street. There are some tips for dealing with sightings. You can find information from the City of London at its website, as well as a form for reporting coyote sightings.
Winter Driving
Winter is always a time to slow down because driving conditions mean stopping is harder, even with all wheel drive and snow tires. Please remember when the bus service was taken off Lawson and Wychwood, the level of snow removal service also went down. We are lucky to live in a neighbourhood where kids can still walk to school so please obey the school speed limit and drive carefully this winter.
The City of London has had to defer construction of Sherwood Forest Park (and others across the city) from fall 2019 to spring 2020. The project has been delayed to ensure a high quality finished product, to provide a little more time to better coordinate with the adjacent developer and to ensure that the park remains useable over the winter months (this means the dirt piles will be leveled). The City has apologized for the delay, but hopes the neighbourhood understands and appreciates the key reasons for the delay. The City has indicated that this park project will be their highest priority to complete in the spring, 2020, once conditions are suitable.
If you have any questions, please contact City staff directly, either Stephanie Wilson at 519-661-2489 x 1871, stwilson@london.ca or Jeff Bruin at extension 5067, jbruin@london.ca
We received notice from the City today that work will begin next week at the new park on the south side of the former Sherwood Forest School site. Here is the design plan for the park showing the location of the play area, benches, paths, etc. There will be over 30 new native trees planted including sugar maple, silver maple, native red maple, tulip, and basswood. The new trees will be minimum caliper of 50mm, but most will be 60 or 70mm caliper. The city is also looking into some larger ones.
The plan shows which of the current trees are slated to remain including the large basswood tree. The City does need to remove some of the existing trees that are in poor health. The tree removals in the park are expected to begin on Tuesday of next week, and completed within a few days.
If you have any questions about the project, Stephanie Wilson is the city staff person who is coordinating the project.
Stephanie Wilson, OALA, CSLA
Project Coordinator, Parks Planning & Design
stwilson@london.ca
P: 519.661.CITY (2489) x 1871 | | Fax: 519. 963.1483
Development at the former Sherwood Forest School site
If you have concerns during the construction, there are two contacts.
New Park Amenities for Sherwood Forest Park
The city is still set to construct the park this fall. This will depend on a few factors including the weather. The actual start date will be up to the City’s contractor, but the City will provide an update when start up nears. The first action on site will be removal of some trees in poor health. (The developer will be removing some trees as well on the part of the site that will be used for housing).
Park amenities will include a playground, open green space, large ‘park’ trees, a pollinator garden, seating areas, and pathway connections to the sidewalks. With the emphasis the City heard for trees, part of the plan includes making arrangements for larger caliper trees than would typically be planted in neighbourhood parks. The playground also will have more features than is typical for Neighbourhood Parks, including a play structure with multiple slides, and a separate area with two bays of swings (four total; one designed for toddlers, one that is accessible, and two standard size ones). The playground equipment is tentatively set for October installation.
If you have questions, the contact for this project from the City is listed below. She welcomes your questions.
Stephanie Wilson
P: 519.661.CITY (2489) x 1871 | stwilson@london.ca
