Tag: Sherwood Forest

Update on park construction

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

Sherwood Forest school site

Development at the former Sherwood Forest School site

If you have concerns during the construction, there are two contacts.

  • Dave Tennant from Forest Park Homes is the developer. He has been very good to work with and having roots in the area, wants to see things go well. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact him at: dave@dtuc.ca.
  • In addition, a City has a “subdivision ambassador” – Jeff Shaughnessy. He acts as a go-between with the public, developers, and City Councillors for all matters related to new subdivision development. Although he doesn’t have a ‘magic wand’ that can solve all issues, he knows the temporary impacts to the surrounding area during development can raise some questions. He can be reached at P: 519.661.CITY(2489) x 4931 | C: 519.852.5220 or jshaughn@london.ca

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

Construction starting next week at the former Sherwood Forest School site

Construction of the new housing on the portion of the site outlined in red will be starting next week. The first part of the work is always the most significant with dump trucks and excavators on site. The developer is meeting with his contractor next week to sort out details including which streets trucks will be using (the shortest route is usually the least disruptive) and the timing of the various parts of the project. We have also asked for a contact number so that anyone with concerns can get in touch. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Levin by Tuesday and he will pass them along right away so the developer has them in time for his meeting with his contractor.

Reminder: Annual BBQ and AGM, Thurs, May 23

As a reminder, the Ratepayers annual BBQ will be this Thursday, May 23rd, at Orchard Park Public School starting at 6 pm, followed by our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 7:30.

If you can help with clean up and take down right before the AGM, it would be appreciated. Just drop by the grill and let the cooks know you are available.

Anyone interested in serving on the Executive should contact Sandy Levin. We are also looking for someone to take minutes of the meeting. Let us know if you are interested – paper and pen provided!

The AGM will include speakers from the City’s Age Friendly Initiative, Salthaven, our City Hall report from Councillor Squire, and an update on the park and housing development at the former Sherwood Forest School site.

Planning for Sherwood Forest Park

A reminder of the Sherwood Forest Park Development – Community Meeting on April 3rd at 6:30 pm in the Orchard Park Public School gym to discuss the new Sherwood Forest Park. City staff will be working with those who attend to plan the amenities for the new park on the site of the former Sherwood Forest school at Annadale and Wychwood Park. If you can’t make the meeting but want to provide your thoughts, contact Stephanie Wilson at the City (stwilson@london.ca) with your suggestions.

Specific questions that city staff would like to consult on include:

  • Outdoor Play Spaces: Are there specific needs of children and caregivers with various disabilities?
  • Recreational Trails: Are there design elements needed to accommodate specific needs?

The development on the part of the site closest to Friar’s Way and to Finsbury is close to clearing the final requirements for starting the project. The consultation on the public site plan has taken place. The site plan is consistent with what the community has stressed since the start of this process. At this point, construction is still a few months away.