Shortlisted as one of three proposed sites in the Walden/Lively area, the Anderson Farm Museum property has been selected to receive a recreational amenity.
The announcement was made during a public meeting at the T.M. Davies Community Centre and Arena, where area residents were walked through a proposal.
3rdLine Studio architect Tim James explained the plan to Sudbury.com as “a really strong recreational space in the town that would link a lot of different institutional features and neighbourhoods together in a recreational environment.”
A 300-metre long looping trail will connect to a two-centimetre-deep reflecting pool with water jets that shoot in the sky to serve as a splash pad. The paths and pool would be used as a skating surface during the winter months.
A permanent covered outdoor stage will be set up using the backdrop of the Anderson Farm Museum barn, a community sauna would be constructed, a new outdoor cooking area would be built and there are plans for a skateboard park.
Various “pods” will be constructed throughout the property, which James described as “small congregational spaces embedded in various landscapes.”
They could include such things as benches, play structures for children and covered barbecue areas, with access to wifi speakers and various other things “to make that space special.”
“It’s really taking advantage of the existing landscape,” James said. “This is about telling the story of the community.”
The project has been years in the making already, stemming from the City of Greater Sudbury’s 2021 sale of Meatbird Lake Park to Vale for $4 million.
The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel was formed to help determine what should be done with the $4 million, which was earmarked for a recreational amenity in the Walden/Lively area.
Two rounds of public consultation followed, and 3rdLine Studio was enlisted last year to narrow in on a preferred recreational amenity and location for city council consideration.
They investigated three short-listed properties, including the Lively Ski Hill, greenspace adjacent to the LIvely Citizen Service Centre/Library, and the Anderson Farm Museum property.
There were some objections from some members of the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society to using the museum property, though advisory panel member Richard Eberhardt noted that their objections came before a plan had even been drafted. Ward 2 Coun. Eric Benoit also told Sudbury.com that membership wasn’t unanimous in their opposition.
Anderson Farm Heritage Society members left Wednesday’s event before Sudbury.com could ask them about what they think of the current proposal.
Broader community support for the Anderson Farm Museum property over the other two locations was “by a fairly sizable margin,” Eberhardt said.
“Part of the project is now to work with the Anderson Farm society,” fellow advisory panel member Karen Makela said. “I think we can look at the different components of it and how we can make it fit with the theme.”
The museum structures won’t be affected by the project.
For those who missed Wednesday’s meeting, the city will be setting up a public consultation page on their OverToYou website, available by clicking here, where all of the images which were on display will be posted. There will also be an opportunity for people to submit feedback.
The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel has also set up a website, andersonfarmforall.ca, where they will be posting pertinent information, including their efforts to advocate for the project to proceed.
“Four years is a long time to be getting to this phase,” Eberhardt said, adding that he’d like to see it progress as quickly as possible.
City council members are slated to receive a report which includes costs by spring 2026.
Although $4 million has been set aside, James said it could end up coming in over budget, which could require additional funding decisions by city council.
As it stands, it has at least one supporter on city council with Benoit.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he told Sudbury.com on Wednesday, adding that he hopes to see it begin to take shape as early as next summer.
“There are options to push it if it’s a little bit over-budget,” he said. “We can make it work.”
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.