Walnut Grove Community Park Improvements

Township-wide changes in field utilization by the sport user groups has allowed the Township to develop sport specific amenities, rather than multisport, mixed-use fields. These dedicated facilities offer a better user experience and level of service for Township residents and visitors. Registration in baseball programming at the park continues to increase and additional field capacity is required. Council conceptually approved improvements to the baseball facilities that could begin construction in early 2026. These include:

• new replacements for aged backstops and dugouts will provide improved ball control and reduced interference with play
• upgrades of existing field lights and new LED lights on all fields to increase capacity for play after dusk
• permanent installation of outfield fences, warning tracks, and scoreboards to reduce operational costs of temporary facilities and improve the user’s experience.

Training and development models for sport user groups have changed since the construction of Walnut Grove Community Park and the Township’s athletic organizations have communicated the desire for centralized and dedicated training campuses rather than multisport, shared facilities. These sport specific amenities offer a better user experience and provide more training options for athletes than facilities that must be adaptable to other sports are able to provide.

Development of new synthetic fields elsewhere in the Township has reduced the demand for field sports on the synthetic field at Walnut Grove. Conversion and expansion of the field to a baseball facility will further increase capacity for baseball. The provision of a synthetic surface for baseball will expand play time into the wet, shoulder seasons and provide increased accessibility for users, incuding Challenger Baseball.

The synthetic field will offer flexible game and training options for baseball, but also general field use when conditions are not suitable for use of the grass fields in the park and adjacent Walnut Grove Secondary School.

As park visitation has increased, so has demand for parking. Expansion of the synthetic field allows for conversion of the remaining all weather area into permanent parking with improved lighting and pedestrian amenities.

A new entrance plaza with drop-off and pick-up waiting areas will assist with wayfinding and pedestrian safety.

Walnut Grove Community Park is more than a hub of active sport. The passive areas include aged picnic shelters, spray park, and playground amenities that would benefit from replacement and upgrades.

The community garden requires replacement of the planting bed structures and improvements to fencing and pathways to improve access for gardeners of all abilities. This work must be carefully coordinated to least disrupt growing seasons.

A central and improved fieldhouse would be beneficial for baseball players, officials and spectators. Replacing the existing announcer’s booth could provide:

• washrooms that are closer and more accessible for field users
• concession space
• elevated spectator viewing areas
• change, meeting, and official’s rooms.