The Dirt on Mountain Drive Park

Mountain Drive Park is as an active Neighbourhood Park in the City of Hamilton’s recent recreational study. Amenities have reached their end of life with upgrades required to safely serve the evolving community. In 2022, a master plan informed by public engagement gave direction for revitalization including new playground equipment, a spray pad, sun shelter, and walkways. Construction was to start in 2024 but was delayed when soil testing revealed contamination (slag, petroleum, and metals) exceeding parkland standards set by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Out of an abundance of caution, the entire park was closed while remediation takes place to bring it up to parkland standards as part of the Hamilton Parks Master Plan. Although the original $2 million is still in the Park Development budget (which included newly constructed washrooms), an additional amount is required to complete contamination removal. Between City staff and the Ward 6 office (in collaboration with the Ward 7 office), funding will be forthcoming to maintain timelines for the Mountain Drive Park redevelopment plan. I am excited for yet another legacy project for families to enjoy for generations to come. Kudos to the 40 volunteer members who served on the Task Force (chaired by Sara Mostacci-Carnegie) that met virtually many times during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide input and move the project forward. Thousands of letters were sent out as well to encourage civic engagement on the components that everyday families and the community overall wanted to see.