Hendon Park Improvement Update

I recently joined City staff and two community advocates for a site visit to Hendon Park to review ongoing maintenance work, identify areas for improvement, and discuss future opportunities to enhance the park for residents.

Key items discussed during the visit included:

• Water fountain upgrade: A new fountain with a bottle-filling station is being installed.

• Washroom improvements: Larger accessible washrooms are planned, with access from the west side of the building. Good wayfinding will need to be in place when the new washrooms are opened. (FYI the existing washrooms are now open!)

• Fieldhouse upgrades: The interior will be refreshed, with future options being explored such as rentals for community events, programming, or a day camp.

• Pathway repairs: Immediate smaller repairs to brick pathways will proceed, with longer-term plans to address more extensive damage and drainage issues.

• Drainage concerns: A persistent puddling issue near the northeast corner of the tennis courts will be addressed as part of pathway improvements.

• Lighting repairs: Burnt-out light fixtures near the splash pad will be replaced, and electrical issues will be investigated.

• Playground surface: The condition of rubber tiles will be assessed, but no immediate changes are anticipated. 

• Temporary fencing: Follow-up is needed to address fencing around an unclear hazard to ensure safety and proper removal or repair.

• Splash pad performance: Concerns were raised regarding low water pressure and malfunctioning features, which will be reviewed.

  
  

I am grateful to both community leaders and City staff who participated in the visit for their thoughtful input and collaboration in helping shape the future of Hendon Park. If we have to prioritize, what would you choose? Expanding the fieldhouse to be a functional community space? Creating a food kiosk at the fieldhouse? Refreshing the playground? Refreshing the splashpad? Fixing the interlock path? Please let us know what you would prioritize over the next few years for state of good repair investment.