The Municipality of Clarington has broken ground on the first phase of trails at a 13.7-hectare municipal park in Bowmanville, located on the former zoo lands.
Expected to open to the public later this summer, the new trails bring to life the first phase of the Bowmanville Park Master Plan, which was developed with support from Valleys 2000 and in consultation with the Clarington community, said a municipal statement.
The statement did not mention the total investment outlay, but said the project was made possible, in part, through $80,000 in community benefit funding from Hydro One.
The new network of trails will be located on the west side of the Soper Creek system and include a main four‑metre‑wide asphalt trail designed for everyday walking, cycling and rolling, along with several secondary crushed limestone trails that branch off and wind through the park.
700 Metres Of New Pathways
Together, the trails will create about 700 metres of new pathways that help connect people to this natural area. Restoration and re-naturalization landscaping will include the planting of hundreds of trees and shrubs, along with benches and decorative armour stone along the route, creating welcoming places to stop, rest and enjoy the surroundings, said the statement.
It said over time, the park will continue to grow and evolve with the community, as funding allows. Guided by the Bowmanville Park Master Plan, the area will offer residents a welcoming outdoor space that honours the legacy of Soper Creek and the former zoo.
Future Phases
Future phases will celebrate the site’s natural and cultural features through ecological restoration, gathering spaces, public art, and educational amenities – strengthening the community’s connection to nature and integrating seamlessly into the broader regional trail system.
“We’re very excited that this beautiful property in the heart of Bowmanville will soon be discovered by our new residents and welcome back long-time locals. This marks the first step in creating a new Clarington landmark on the iconic site of the former zoo lands. Just wait until you see how this park project unfolds,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.