Construction to widen part of the path around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake is set to start in September.
And the dig will also include more lights on the popular walking loop as well as horticultural displays.
Tonight (Monday), city council is expected to approve the final design of the Urban and Garden walks, allowing municipal staff to hire a contractor to make the improvements in the two zones.
But work on the Forest Walk — located on the south side of the lake — won’t start until next year due to the high water mark and need to obtain senior government approvals, wrote Lanny Englund, general manager of parks, recreation, cultural and facilities, in a report to council.
A fourth path proposal, called the Island Walk, was dropped last fall to protect the wildlife on the lake’s northside.
The Urban Walk, on the west side, already has washrooms being built behind the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
The updates will see the 700 lineal metres of pathway in the two zones widened to four metres and repaved, and lights added or upgraded especially to accommodate for the Lights at Lafarge fest.
The Garden Walk, on the east side, will also have better drainage and irrigation for the horticultural displays that will wind from the Inspiration Garden (Guildford/Pipeline) to the loop’s north end.
The displays will be planted by next spring.
As well, there will be more wayfinding signs and park furnishings such as seating walls, benches and garbage/recycling bins; the Trans Canada Trail kiosks will also be replaced, England wrote in his report.
The perimeter improvements are part of the $12.5-million package budgeted for Town Centre Park. Recently, the city expanded the festival lawn, on the east side, into the BMX park for more open space.
Last October, the city received 667 responses through a survey to gauge support for the loop improvements; most participants called for washrooms along the Urban Walk while more lights and wider paths also polled high. Of those who responded, 52% visited Town Centre Park daily or weekly.
The operating costs for the new loop are expected to be $100,000 a year plus $60,000 annually for asset replacement.
