PHOTOS: Residents March Against 10-Foot Wide Willistead Park Paths

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More than fifty people came out Saturday morning to protest the planned addition of 10-foot wide paths to Willistead Park.

Walkerville residents are still determined to stop construction of a new ten-foot-wide paved asphalt path system in the park, and organized today’s “Walk for Willistead”.

Walkers hoisted signs that protested the paths and emphasized the importance of green grass.

The pathways were approved by Windsor City Council on March 17th, despite the protests of several area residents. The city said that the new pathway widths were necessary to meet accessibility standards within the park.

Walk organizer Sara Venney said earlier this week that it wasn’t too late for City Council to reverse its decision. “We implore them to please stop construction and restore Willistead Park back to its former beauty.”

“When one sets out a picnic blanket hoping to relax, perhaps while children play close by, one does not want to be picnicking in the vicinity of a 10-foot wide asphalt pathway on which rollerbladers, bikers, or even walkers are apt to be.”

Venney expressed concerns about the environmental aspects of asphalt. “More importantly, with global warming and climate change and astronomical electric bills, many may no longer be able to cool their houses sufficiently in the summer. Neighbourhood parks should be cool and green and should not be laden with heat-generating asphalt.”

Construction of the asphalt paths is expected to be completed later this spring.