Delhi Park is a stunning, 31-acre green space smack in the middle of Picton. Marsh Creek runs through it, a beautiful, historic cemetery lies at its border, and it has spectacular views at the top of the best sledding hill in the County.  

Yet, at the moment, it is a giant obstacle course.

That is about to change. Local landscape architect Victoria Taylor has a vision, Delhi Park 2034, a ten-year, phased plan developed through community consultation.

In a deputation to Council, Ms. Taylor noted that unless you have a car or are very able-bodied, the park actually presents a barrier to getting around Picton. But by thinking differently about the Delhi landscape, and designing for accessibility and public safety, it could become an asset in the work of transforming Picton into an active, healthy, and connected place to live and work.

“Delhi Park 2034 is a plan to use this central green space as a way to connect the whole of Picton, from the harbour to Glenwood Cemetery. This vision connects the surrounding natural areas, existing and future communities, and all of Picton’s cultural and commercial services.” 

The Delhi Park Community Connections Active Transportation Plan, approved at June 13’s Committee of the Whole meeting, will see current walkways enlarged and graded, and create a 5.8 km network of new paths to connect Main Street to Macaulay Village, Picton Harbour, and the Millennium Trail. Park entrances will be improved, signage added, and pathways lit.

The plan represents an important facelift for a park largely untouched since it opened in the mid 1980s.

Without any earmarked municipal funds outside the parkland reserves envelope, though, the project needs external grants. With Council’s approval, and designation of the project as of community interest, staff will be able to freely apply for federal and provincial funding, take private donations and bequests, and appeal to the private sector for sponsorship programs.

First phase

An accessible, 1.7 km active transportation pathway to connect Macaulay Village to Main Street is first on the agenda. 

The path will offer pedestrian and cycling route to connect Main and Elizabeth Streets through Delhi to London Avenue, and the new London Avenue Park. To be maintained all winter, the new pathway will feature public art, benches, shade trees, signage, an emergency call station, a water-bottle filling station and lighting.

“This Delhi Project is thoughtful, creative and accessible,” Councillor Bill Roberts said. “It has County-wide and even region-wide benefits.”

In its previous life, the park was the site of the former town dump. Closed and capped in 1979, groundwater monitoring continues.

Opened to the public in 1984, Delhi Park came complete with a T-ball field, massive amounts of green space and ParticipACTION-sponsored outdoor exercise and play equipment. It has been a popular destination for generations of county families for many years.