Council Approves Confederation Park Revitalization Plan

Council has approved the Confederation Park Revitalization Plan, marking an important step toward preserving and enhancing one of the Township’s most valued community spaces. The plan outlines a phased approach that prioritizes ecological stewardship and safety improvements first, while allowing flexibility for future enhancements as community needs and funding evolve.

Located at 365 Queen Street East in Fergus, Confederation Park opened in 1967 to commemorate Canada’s Centennial and continues to serve as an important hub for recreation and connection to nature in Centre Wellington.

The Township retained GSP Group Inc. to lead a comprehensive community engagement process and develop a Concept and Revitalization Plan for the park. Listening was central to the project, with residents’ ideas and concerns gathered through ongoing engagement activities and interest-group interviews helping to shape the guiding principles for the plan.

Overall, residents expressed a strong appreciation for Confederation Park’s natural and tranquil character, along with a desire to see improvements that enhance safety, accessibility, and environmental health. Key feedback themes included preserving the park’s natural setting, improving trail accessibility, managing invasive species, carefully considering lighting, and improving access to the Grand River.

“Confederation Park holds a special place in our community, and this plan reflects what we heard from residents—protect what makes the park special while making thoughtful improvements for safety, accessibility, and long-term stewardship,” said Mayor Shawn Watters. “By focusing first on foundational land stewardship and ecological health, we’re setting the stage for a revitalization that can adapt over time as community needs and funding evolve.”

Phased Approach

Phase 1 – Land Stewardship (2026)
Phase 1 focuses on foundational improvements to support ecological health, safety, and accessibility, including:

• Ecological assessment and invasive species management plan.
• Removals of invasive species.
• Removal of the existing pavilion and the remnants of a former structure located in a wooded area on-site, which are in poor repair and could represent safety hazards.
• Sightline clearing through removal of invasive species and brush, with emphasis on the preservation of mature native trees.
• Replacement of a deteriorated boardwalk and creek crossing with an improved accessible structure.
• Adding educational and advisory signage, providing detail on the history of Confederation Park from the perspective of Indigenous Communities and more recent settlers.
• Enhancement of seating options.

Phase 2 – Equitable Access (2027–2030)

• Complete accessibility upgrades at the Queen Street and Scotland Street parking lots.
• Construct a new accessible ramp switchback to provide better park access from the Queen Street parking lot.
• Create defined trailheads through signage, mapping, and enhanced trail maintenance.
• Construct an end-to-end accessible pathway through trail surface improvements and trail maintenance enhancements, while still preserving the recreational nature of the trail.

Phase 3 – Amenities (2030+)

• Construct two new picnic pavilions near park entrances at Queen Street and Scotland Street.
• Add natural play/gathering features in the park.
• Construct a new lookout deck, overhanging the Grand River.
• Include a new non-motorized boat launch upstream of the dam location, with a portage path and signage directing river travelers safely around the dam.
• Enhanced educational and interpretive signage

The phased approach allows the Township to respond to changing community needs and funding opportunities over time, while ensuring early investments focus on stewardship, safety, and accessibility.

More information about the Confederation Park Revitalization Plan is available at www.connectcw.ca/confederation-park