Walkable communities and John Gamble Park

The following comments come from one of our readers:

There is a service entrance to Shadybrook Cr just east of the Hanlon at Kortright that is slated to become an off ramp. Part of the berm and mature trees at John Gamble Park will be destroyed. The service entrance is used by the Shadybrook residents to exit their street in bad winter weather. Most vehicles cannot make it up the Shadybrook hill to Ironwood (I live on the corner and witness this after every snowfall). Essentially with Stantec’s preferred proposal, there will be an entire neighbourhood that will not be able to get off their street on some days in the winter. There is also a dog walking park and many of the users of this park drive there using the service road.  The fact that half of a beautiful mature park will be destroyed is heartbreaking.

More on the Park

The park that will be lost is the north half of John Gamble Park. The mature black walnut trees are in the park near Kortright where the ramp will be built.


The dog walk park will not be lost. It is just that you will not be able to get to it along the Hanlon service road or directly from Kortright. You will have to enter on Shadybrook Cres. which is a quiet neighbourhood street. Cars start arriving at the park every morning at about 5:00 AM and continue until well after dark. At busy times we see about 25 cars per hour. Children will enter the playground in John Gamble park along the same route. There is the potential for some serious conflicts developing in the neighbourhood. It is these conflicts that could ultimately close the dog park to vehicle access and parking for Guelphers from away. There is also a possibility that the building lots that were left open for the emergency snow exit will be built on if the snow exit is made redundant by the new ramp. This would close the dog park to cars. The City may be able to squeeze a bike path and walking trail between the Shadybrook backyards and the new ramp if they can retain ownership of this narrow strip. There is also a walkway between some houses. Both will take pedestrians, bicycles and dogs directly through the playground area.
 
The black walnut trees were significant in the development of Waterloo. See "Trail of the Black Walnut". Early settlers knew that they only grew on very fertile land so they were sought out by the original pioneers, cut down and the land was converted for agriculture. Walnut is a beautiful wood for furniture and gunstocks. The trees almost became extinct due to the huge demand for gunstocks in the first and second world wars. It is sad that as we build a new trail to Waterloo (406/407) that the beautiful black walnut trees will again make the ultimate sacrifice.
 
Dave Penny

History of John Gamble Park, Jan. 25, 2008

Madame Mayor,
Thank you for looking into this for me. As a result of your efforts I was inspired to reconnect with my old friend Hugh Guthrie. It turns out Hugh's father and John Gamble sat on the Parks Board. They were all volunteers at the time. They were instrumental in acquiring and converting garbage dumps (now Guthrie Park) and other forgotten lands into parks and playgrounds. Hugh mentioned the names of parks in Guelph that I have never noticed. Parks named for some of Canada's greatest contributors (George Drew). Many are no
longer remembered although I am told there is a plaque, no bigger than Hugh's shoe, in George Drew Park.
More than ever I am determined to work to stop the expropriation of John Gamble Park. I trust that you and council will understand the significance of what we stand to lose. Perhaps we need to find ways to better recognize those of vision who have gone before us.
Best regards,

Dave Penny