This is the update we received from the the office of Councillor Matthew Luloff :
Our office received an update from the Parks department about Coyote Trail park this week and we wanted to share it with you to make sure that everyone is on the same page. The city parks department has consulted with ISD Design & Construction on the scope and timelines of the work to be completed this week at Coyote Trail Park.
The contractor was on site today and they will be on site until June 28th to address the following deficiencies in the park:
- Adjust the tactile warning surface indicators to prevent pooling of water on the pathways
- Redo the pickleball lines on the tennis court with proper layout and dimensions, using yellow line paint
- Grade around hydro poles (these areas were fenced off during construction and need to tie into the site better)
- Additional seeding over the entire park (contractor has an obligation to maintain the grass for a full year to ensure establishment)
- Correct drainage issues at two locations:
- On the pathway between the gazebo and the dog park
- A low wet spot at the back fitness area, which may have to be completed a little later as landscape drains and drain tile may have to be installed.
- Adjust fencing and concrete fence post bases around tennis courts
- Replace all planted trees that did not survive the winter
- Repair flaking on the shade structure concrete pads, following recommendations from our concrete experts.
The Parks department provided some answers for common questions that we have been receiving and we thought that it would be a good idea to provide them to you for reference, in case you receive similar questions going forward.
Q: What did the original contract stipulate was to be done to the land – seed or sod?
A: The contract called for seeding over the majority of the park, with a strip of sod along pathways and hard surface areas. The contractor will be over seeding next week. Note that over seeding had to wait until the site dried up, to prevent damaging the turf.
Q: Why is it an issue for the dog park when the grass outside the park is in the exact same shape – sodded at the path and seeded in the middle. Residents are playing there with their dogs? Isn’t result the same?
A: The enclosed dog park area will be subject to much more intensive use from human and animal foot/paw traffic than the balance of the park area and must be allowed the time to establish good turf before opening to the public
Q: We have noticed pooling of water on pathways and grass, Does this need to be remedied? Is it poor grading?
A: As noted above, these deficiencies will be corrected with a new sub-surface drainage solution. The entire park site is currently surface drained on solid heavy clay, so it is a challenge to grade it with surface drainage only.
Q: There appears to be wild parsnip in the dog park. Can it be investigated?
A: The entire site was covered with wild parsnip before construction started. It was removed during construction, however it will be an ongoing challenge to keep the parsnip from re-establishing in the park as the seeds spread from the surrounding areas. The contractor is obligated to mow the grass in the park regularly to allow the turf to establish and control the growth of wild parsnip, until the City takes over maintenance of the park.
Q: Why is there no garbage near the park for users to dispose of anything? This will result in owners not picking up after their pets. Also there is a lack of containers leading to the park is resulting in dog poop on the ground already.
A: There are two waste receptacles located at the pathway entrances at the vehicle turnaround. The location of the receptacles was recommended by Park Operations during the design phase of the project. The park is too large to have additional permanent trash receptacles in the interior, which would be difficult to monitor and service. Park users will have to carry their waste to deposit into the receptacles as they exit the park. Park Operations may wish to consider adding additional seasonal waste drums to the park during peak use periods (spring through fall).
Q: The sign the City appears to have proudly displayed indicating a $1.8 M investment in the park is laying on the ground leading to the park like a large piece of trash. Can we remove it or re-install it?
A: This sign was a condition of the Federal Infrastructure grant for the project and was required to be displayed during construction. It will be removed by the contractor when he re-mobilizes on site next week..
Q: Lines in tennis court (and Pickleball) have been painted incorrectly. Can we fix them?
A: Yes, as noted in the deficiency list above, the pickle ball lines will be repainted to meet City standard court dimensions and layout.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.
Kind regards,
Peter MacDonaldOffice of Councillor Matthew Luloff | Bureau du Conseiller Matthew Luloff
Quartier Orléans Ward 1
613-580-2471 Ext. 12854
613-223-2133