The Department of Natural Resources would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Friends of Laurie Park over the past several weeks for their role in focusing Community input to the process and at the same time acknowledge all those members of the community who provided input which formed the basis for developing new conceptual plan options for consideration. To that end, the Department is pleased to indicate that one of the two presented concepts was the clear choice. Along with the chosen concept plan we are pleased to provide an overview of what the concept means with respect to the redevelopment of the park during the next year.

The Department working with the Friends together as one team to develop the conceptual plan has proven to be a productive model. The Department will continue to work with this model to provide progress updates.

Next steps:

Over the next few weeks the department will undertake more detailed site development planning that will implement the approved concept plan. Final site development plan and specifications will be prepared and tendered as soon as possible to start site work in the park.

At the same time through Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal the design and tendering for the construction of the new comfort station and administration building will also be underway.

It is hoped that construction in support of the redevelopment will commence in May or early June, depending upon the tender process.

Minimizing closures in the day use area due to construction will be part of the project implementation strategy and work scheduling. Notices on closures will be provided.

The camping area of the park, however, will be closed for the season and re-open in 2011.

 

• Concept Plan — (36x55 - 27 meg. PDF)

High Level Description:

Majority of the development will be in the current camping portion of the park with minimal change to day use access and activities. Existing day use roads and flow of traffic will essentially stay the same as today.

Entrance:

• New visitors services area that includes an office/administration building, camping visitor parking, registration and bypass lanes
• Improved park entrance from Highway #2
• New Off Season parking lot (15 to 20 cars) in advance of gate at bridge

Campground:

• Campground capacity reduced from 71 small sites to +/- 40 upgraded campsites, including a mix of walk-in only, tenting, small trailer and larger trailer/RV sites
• Central camper’s washroom with flush toilets and showers
• New maintenance yard and wood storage building
• New trailer dumping station for campers
• New service clusters that include privy, water tap and recycling stations
• Seasonal floating dock to be installed at shoreline tenting sites (no boat trailer access to lake will be provided)
• Closure of the campground for the entire 2010 camping season during construction (June to Sept)

Day Use:

• Seasonal floating dock to be installed at boat launching area (no boat trailer access to lake will be provided)
• Park programming area with a gathering area and small kiosk/stage for interpretive and educational events
• Shoreline walking path to “Big Head” to provide improved accessibility
• Upgrade existing service clusters to include a privy, water tap and recycling stations
• No changes to the shoreline
• Fence at bedrock ridge shoreline (near Big head) to be repaired and maintained
• Improvements to canoe/kayak drop off area at the old boat launch site

Other Features

• Roads, and traffic flow unchanged for access to day use areas
• General maintenance and repairs to existing paved sections of day use area
• Existing picnic sites to be marginally upgraded (top soil added and re-seeded where necessary) to provide car (drive-in) picnic loop opportunities
• Opportunities to open access for day use areas during the 2010 construction period, pending construction requirements and public safety concerns, will be pursued.