HomeMy WebLinkAboutINF 12-25Report to Council
Report Number: INF 12-25
Date: October 27, 2025
From: Kevin Heathcote
Director, City Infrastructure
Subject: Winter Control on Additional Park Pathways
Resolution #860/25
File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1. That Report INF 12-25 regarding winter control on additional park pathways be received;
2. That the Mayor be requested to include funding in the amount of $4,250.00 in the City’s
2026 Current Budget (City Infrastructure Department) to expand the City’s winter control
program to include five additional park pathways at J. McPherson Park, Lynn Heights
Park, Jackson Green, Rick Johnson Memorial Park and S.M. Woodsmere Park;
3. That the expanded winter control program for park pathways at Lynn Heights Park and
S.M. Woodsmere Park be a one-year Pilot Project in 2026 with staff reporting back to
Council by Q2 2026;
4. That the Mayor be requested to include funding in the amount of $350,000.00 in the
City’s 2026 Capital Budget for the installation of solar lighting at Lynn Heights Park and
S.M. Woodsmere Park; and,
5. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions to implement the recommendations in this report.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to report back to Council regarding
providing winter control on six additional park pathways, ideally two per Ward including Lynn
Heights Park in response to Resolution #860/25 passed on September 29, 2025. This report
outlines the City’s current level of service, identifies additional park pathways that could be
considered for inclusion, and discusses potential operational and budgetary impacts.
Currently the City of Pickering manages and maintains 93 parks. This includes community
parks, neighbourhood parks, village greens, tot lots, parkettes and ravines. Of those,
approximately 40 parks offer interconnecting pathways to adjacent neighbourhoods and City-
owned sidewalks.
The City of Pickering currently provides winter maintenance on pathways in 24 parks. Winter
Maintenance extends from the start of November to the end of April each year. These
pathways play an important role in providing year-round pedestrian access to key destinations,
including schools, retail areas, and recreational spaces. There are an additional 16 parks with
pathways that are not currently maintained during the winter.
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 2
After completing a review of all park pathways that are not currently maintained during winter,
staff have identified the following locations for consideration to be included in the winter
maintenance program along with the recommended year.
Table 1: Staff Recommended Park Pathways with Potential for Winter Maintenance (by
Ward)
Ward Park Name Winter
Season
Notes
1 J. McPherson Park 2026/27
Existing pathway is in poor condition.
Accessible pathway to be reconstructed
in 2026.
2 Lynn Heights Park 2025/26
(One-Year
Pilot)
Lighting is recommended in 2026 to bring
to current standard. Winter maintenance
of park pathway can be considered in the
2025/26 winter season as one-year pilot
project. Extending it past 2026 will be
contingent on the funding for lighting in
the 2026 Capital Budget
3 Jackson Green 2025/26 Feasible connection to local pedestrian
routes.
3 Rick Johnson Memorial
Park
2025/26 Feasible connection to local pedestrian
routes.
3 S.M. Woodsmere Park 2025/26
(One-Year
Pilot)
Lighting is recommended in 2026 to bring
to current standard. Winter maintenance
of park pathway can be considered in the
2025/26 winter season as one-year pilot
project. Extending it past 2026 will be
contingent on the funding for lighting in
the 2026 Capital Budget.
The introduction of the additional five park pathways will increase the City’s risk profile from an
insurance perspective. Winter maintenance of park pathways involves promptly removing
snow and ice, using salt or sand for traction, and clearing obstructions, including a duty of
regular and timely inspections. Failure to do so will increase the City’s exposure to slip and fall
claims.
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 3
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond
to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe &
Healthy Community, and Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a
Connected, Well-Serviced Community.
Financial Implications: Should Council wish to proceed, operating costs and capital costs
are required in the 2026 Current and 2026 Capital Budget & Forecast.
Table 2: Current Budget Implications
Category Estimated Annual
Costs
Notes
Labour
(additional hours per season)
$2,500.00 Based on current staff rates and
average event frequency.
Salt/Sand Materials 450.00 Approx. 0.5 tonnes per pathway per
season.
Fuel & Equipment Wear 1,300.00 For sidewalk maintenance unit.
Total $4,250.00
Note: The operating costs above are only estimates and are dependent on frequency and
severity of weather events during the winter season.
Table 3: Capital Budget Implications
Project Estimated
Cost
Year Notes
Installation of Pathway
Lighting at Lynn Heights Park
$175,000.00 2026
Lynn Heights Park requires
approximately 16 lights. Solar
lighting is recommended.
Installation of Pathway
Lighting at S.M. Woodsmere
Park
175,000.00 2026 S.M. Woodsmere Park requires
approximately 16 lights. Solar
lighting is recommended.
Total $350,000.00
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 4
Discussion: The purpose of this report is to report back to Council regarding providing
winter control on six additional park pathways, ideally two per Ward including Lynn Heights
Park in response to Resolution #860/25 passed on September 29, 2025.
Currently the City of Pickering owns 93 Parks. This includes community parks, neighbourhood
parks, village greens, tot lots, parkettes and ravines. Of those, approximately 40 parks offer
interconnecting pathways to adjacent neighbourhoods and City-owned sidewalks. The City of
Pickering currently provides winter maintenance on pathways in 24 parks. These pathways are
selected based on operator and pedestrian accessibility and safety, pedestrian connectivity,
and their linkage to municipal sidewalks, schools, retail areas, and community destinations.
There are 16 park pathways that are not maintained during the winter months. The primary
reasons for exclusion include:
• proximity to steep or unsafe slopes
• inability to safely maneuver or turn sidewalk maintenance equipment
• pathway surface conditions and width that do not meet accessibility or maintenance
standards
• inadequate pathway lighting
Each non-maintained pathway is clearly marked with signage at all entry points.
When completing any new park construction or existing park redevelopment projects, the City
now designs with a minimum standard including 2.5m wide pathways that provide operator
access and maneuverability as well as pathway lighting when feasible to ensure a safe path of
travel for both pedestrians and City staff during maintenance activities.
A. Current Level of Service
The City’s winter control operations for park pathways are managed by the Parks & Property
Section of the City Infrastructure Department using sidewalk snow removal machines to plow
and salt the pathways as required. Pathways are maintained following priority main routes
after the end of a snowfall event. Service delivery aligns, where applicable, with Ontario
Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for multi-use trails and pedestrian routes.
Below is a list of all parks that currently have winter maintenance performed along pathways:
Table 4: Parks with Winter-Maintained Pathways (by Ward)
Ward Park Name
1 Amberlea Park
Bruce Handscomb Memorial Park
East Woodlands Park
Erin Gate Park
Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park
Rouge Valley Park
Shadybrook Park
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 5
Ward Park Name
2 Alex Robertson Park
Beachfront Park
Balsdon Park
David Farr Memorial Park
Forestbook Park
Mitchell Park
Mulmer Tot Lot
Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park
3 Beechlawn Park
Clearside Park
Diana, Princess of Wales Park
Esplanade Park
Foxtail Green
Glengrove Park
Valley View Park
Woodview Tot Lot
Beverly Morgan Park
The following pathways are not currently maintained during winter:
Table 5: Park Pathways Not Currently Winter-Maintained (by Ward)
Ward Park Name Notes
1 Dunmoore Park Pathways in poor condition, limited connectivity.
J. McPherson Park Existing pathway is in poor condition. Accessible
pathway to be reconstructed in 2026. For
consideration in 2026/27.
Ernie L. Stroud Park Existing pathway is in poor condition. Park
pathway to be reconstructed in 2027. Reconsider
winter maintenance once park pathway
reconstruction is complete.
Lookout Point Park Dangerous slope near Cliffview walkway, poor
condition of asphalt and equipment access
challenges.
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 6
Ward Park Name Notes
2 Frenchman’s Bay Ratepayers
Memorial Park
Pathway connects to private development.
Limited connectivity.
Lynn Heights Park Lighting is recommended to bring to current
standard in 2026. Winter maintenance of the
park pathway can be considered in the
2025/26 winter season as a one-year pilot
project. Extending it beyond 2026 will be
contingent on the funding for lighting in the 2026
Capital Budget.
Maple Ridge Park Existing pathway is in poor condition. Park
redevelopment in capital forecast for 2027.
Reconsider winter maintenance once park
redevelopment is complete.
3 Canadian Green Gazebo and benches prevent plow equipment
from accessing sidewalk.
Centennial Park Pathway is too close to amenities, equipment
access challenges. Dangerous slope at p-gate.
To be reviewed when future park redevelopment
occurs.
Creekside Park Pathway does not connect to surrounding area.
Denmar Park Pathway dead ends and leads to private
developments.
Jackson Green Feasible connection to local pedestrian routes.
For consideration in 2025/26.
Rick Johnson Memorial Park Feasible connection to local pedestrian routes.
For consideration in 2025/26.
S.M. Woodsmere Park Lighting is recommended to bring to current
standard in 2026. Winter maintenance of the
park pathway can be considered in the
2025/26 winter season as a one-year pilot
project. Extending it beyond 2026 will be
contingent on t the funding for lighting in the 2026
Capital Budget.
Major Oaks Park Currently provide winter maintenance on
walkway between Theoden Ct. and Chapman Ct.
Park pathway in poor condition. Pathway
reconstruction in capital forecast for 2027.
Reconsider winter maintenance once park
redevelopment is complete.
Pine Grove Park Unsafe maneuverability around park amenities.
Equipment access issues.
Each non-maintained pathway is clearly marked with signage at all entry points.
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 7
B. Winter Maintenance Recommendations
After completing a review of all unmaintained park pathways, staff have identified the following
locations for consideration to be included in the winter maintenance program along with the
year.
Table 6: Staff Recommended Park Pathways with Potential for Winter Maintenance (by
Ward)
Ward Park Name Winter
Season
Notes
1 J. McPherson Park 2026/27 Existing pathway is in poor condition.
Accessible pathway to be reconstructed
in 2026. For consideration for 2026/27
winter season.
2 Lynn Heights Park 2025/26
(One-Year
Pilot)
Lighting is recommended in 2026 to bring
to current standard. Winter maintenance
of the park pathway can be considered
in the 2025/26 winter season as a one-
year pilot project. Extending it beyond
2026 will be contingent on the funding for
lighting in the 2026 Capital Budget.
3 Jackson Green 2025/26 For consideration in 2026.
3 Rick Johnson Memorial
Park
2025/26 Feasible connection to local pedestrian
routes. For consideration in 2025/26.
3 S.M. Woodsmere Park 2025/26
(One-Year
Pilot)
Lighting is recommended in 2026 to bring
to current standard. Winter maintenance
of the park pathway can be considered
in the 2025/26 winter season as a one-
year pilot project. Extending it beyond
2026 will be contingent on the funding for
lighting in the 2026 Capital Budget.
Each of these sites has been evaluated based on condition, safety, and accessibility.
Locations identified as pilot projects do not meet our current standards. If staff identify safety
concerns for residents or operators related to lighting, the pilot program will be discontinued
until appropriate infrastructure is installed to bring each location up to our current standard.
As additional locations are brought up to current standards, staff will continue to consider these
park pathways to be added to the winter maintenance program.
INF 12-25 October 27, 2025
Page 8
C.Operational Considerations
Expanding winter pathway maintenance requires adjustments to current staffing, winter control
routing and equipment deployment. Implications include:
•increased labour hours per event
•additional material usage (salt/sand)
•increased fuel and equipment maintenance costs
•potential need for one additional sidewalk maintenance unit to sustain service levels
All new pathway additions will be prioritized using existing safety and accessibility criteria to
ensure compliance with City standards and to minimize liability exposure. Future new park
pathway and pathway reconstruction projects will include the consideration of lighting to
support winter maintenance operations and enhance pedestrian safety.
Attachments:
1.Resolution #860/25
2.Location Maps – Staff Recommended Pathways with Potential of Winter Maintenance
DF:mjh
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Prepared By:
Original signed by:
Dan Finn
Manager, Parks & Property
Approved/Endorsed By:
Original signed by:
Kevin Heathcote, P.Eng.
Director, City Infrastructure
Original signed by:
Stan Karwowski, MBA, CPA, CMA
Director, Finance & Treasurer
Original signed by:
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
October 3, 2025
To: Kevin Heathcoate
Director, City Infrastructure
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on
September 29, 2025
Park Pathway Winter Maintenance
Council Decision Resolution #860/25
Please take any action deemed necessary.
SC:am
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
That the Director, City Infrastructure, be directed to report back to Council, at its
October 27, 2025 Meeting, regarding:
1.Providing winter control on six additional park pathways in the City of
Pickering, ideally 2 per ward including Lynn Heights Park; and,
2.That the report include the current level of service for winter control on
pathways across the City, recommendations for improvements to meet
minimum standards for winter control if not currently met, and any potential
budgetary impacts that may need to be considered to increase the service
level to include additional pathways.
Attachment 1 to Report INF 12-25
Attachment 2 to Report INF 12-25