10-Foot Wide Asphalt Paths Approved For Willistead Park

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Work on Willistead’s new path is pictured on Friday October 11th, 2013.

Windsor City Council voted to proceed with the installation of a ten-foot-wide paved asphalt path system in Willistead Park after a three-hour-long discussion, Monday night.

Several residents spoke against implementation of the new paths for numerous reasons including the loss of green space, loss of trees and that the paths will be taking away from the heritage feel of the park. Many also spoke out against the proposed asphalt surface and preferred the use of concrete pavers.

Parks Director John Miceli stated that no trees would be lost, and that in fact 100 new trees would be planted to serve as a canopy over the new pathways.

Miceli also said the new pathway widths were necessary to meet accessibility standards within the park and that using pavers instead of the planned asphalt would almost triple the cost of the project, which had a budget of $100,000.

Several councillors made note that the park is for the entire city and the improvements will benefit all of Windsor.

Councillor Alan Halberstadt first put forward a motion to expand only existing path footprints to just over 9.5 feet with no new pathways in the park, and for the parks department to come back to council with a report of the cost of pavers for the walkways, as opposed to asphalt. That motion failed.

Councillor Drew Dilkens then put forward a motion to approve the expanded pathway plan including new 10 foot wide asphalt paths. That motion passed in a 7-3 vote.