A new park in the heart of downtown Red Deer should be up and running before Christmas.
City council unanimously gave its support Monday to a recommendation that a design for Veteran’s Park be adopted.
Councillors heard the next step is implementation of a detailed plan in April, then the tendering process.
Construction would start in the summer and work should be finished hopefully by Nov. 11 in time for Remembrance Day.
Mark Nolan. an associate with IBI Group which helped design the project said plans include a small park around the downtown cenotaph with a place for tree-shaded benches for window shoppers and pedestrians.
The estimated $1.3-million park on Ross Street will slow traffic and be pedestrian friendly, councillors heard.
Two lanes of traffic would pass to the south, maintaining the existing jog in the road that has been in place since construction of Executive Place began in the summer of 2007.
There will be space for a gathering place in front of the cenotaph, a podium and the flagpole will remain.
The gathering area will be protected from traffic, Nolan said.
Sculptured columns are also planned and the area will be well lighted, Nolan said.
Councillor Larry Pimm said the park is unusual in that it remains in the middle of Ross Street and is one of those memories people have a city when growing up.
“It will be appreciated for a long time,” Pimm added.
“What we’re creating here is a little snapshot of the downtown,” he added.
The park already had the support of Red Deer veterans and various groups.
Councillor Cindy Jefferies said the park meets two wishes of the public who attended an open house.
“I like what it does for traffic calming in the area and it creates a pedestrian walkway,” said Jefferies who is chair of the Greater Downtown Action Plan.
No parking spots will lost, in fact, an additional space is anticipated, Nolan said.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com