Sam Lawrence Park

Design Concept

General, site-wide improvements that would be included in the preferred design concept:

Arkledun Avenue & Bruce Trail Access

All design concept alternatives propose improvements to the Arkledun Avenue and Bruce Trail access connection to Concession Street and Sam Lawrence Park. These changes will improve access and safety:

• New trail head that creates a sense of arrival to the Bruce Trail and includes amenities like way-finding signage and benches.
• New pathway and native shade garden below the escarpment edge that addresses existing drainage issues.
• Pruning trees and shrubs to open up views and new lighting throughout the area to improve safety.

Intersection Improvements

All design concept alternatives propose improvements to the Concession Street/Jolley Cut intersection. The design team investigated these changes, with approval from City of Hamilton stakeholders:

• Removal of channelized right turn lanes at the Concession Street/Jolley Cut/Upper Wellington Street intersection.
• The design team explored numerous configuration options as part of the intersection investigation.  The investigation resulted in proposing the following changes, with approval from City of Hamilton stakeholders.

Public Art

All design concept alternatives propose a public art component at various scales. In keeping with the recommendations of the City`s Urban Indigenous Strategy, this site due to its position on the escarpment edge may be a suitable location for an Indigenous themed public art work.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

There is always the option to Do Nothing but that doesn’t mean there are no costs involved. The “Do Nothing” option fixes what is broken; however, it does not address community concerns or include new improvements, except for the already-approved City of Hamilton initiatives including:

• Mountain Brow Multi-Use Path Feasibility Study – include multi-use path along Concession Street from Belvidere Avenue to Belwood Avenue.
• Public Art Master Plan – funding allocated to Sam Lawrence Park for small public art component.

The cost of the “Do Nothing” option includes, but is not limited to:

• Remedial repairs to pavements, lighting, stairs, walls etc.
• Piecemeal repairs do not contribute to site-wide rejuvenation
• Design aesthetic is not coordinated
• Increased maintenance
• Limited demonstrated response to community concerns, for example connectivity

• April 5, 2024 - Notice to Residents and Businesses delivered to properties surrounding the park notifying of upcoming construction.
• April 2024 - Phase 1 construction start including: west walkway, parking lot and Arkledun Avenue-Concession street walkway improvements.
• September 2020 - Public Works Committee and Hamilton City Council adoption of the Master Plan and Public Posting of the Report.
• December 9, 2019 - Public Information Centre 2, presenting the preferred park design concept at Hamilton Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• October 2, 2019 - Public Advisory Group, providing feedback on the preliminary alternative design concepts.
• August 1, 2019 - Results of the online park user survey.
• June 8, 2019 - Concession Street Streetfest pop-up booth, informing attendees of the Master Plan process and collecting feedback from the community.
• May 4, 2019 - Walking Tour, exploring the park’s storied history, the issues/challenges currently affecting the site, and how it may better-serve Hamiltonians in the years to come.
• April 9, 2019 - Public Advisory Group, discussing the Preliminary Evaluation Criteria (Criteria for Success), to be used to inform design decisions when preparing alternative design concepts.
• March 26, 2019 - Public Information Centre, to kick-start the process for developing a Master Plan at Hamilton Public Library - Concession Street Branch.