The Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society has come out “strongly” against the possibility of an outdoor recreational facility being built on the 14-acre heritage site in Lively.
“The board was appalled to learn that the site was even considered to be one of the possible locations,” Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society president Leslee Salo told Sudbury.com.
“First and foremost, one of our goals is to ensure that the Anderson Farm Museum and its physical assets are preserved and protected, we are trying our best to make sure this continues to happen.”
The recreational amenity development in question is something the City of Greater Sudbury is working toward with Architectural firm 3rdLine Studio.
The amenity is expected to be built as early as 2026 using the $4 million Vale paid to purchase Meatbird Lake Park in 2021.
They’ve narrowed in on three potential locations:
- Lively Ski Hill property (231 FIrst Ave.)
- Anderson Farm property (550 Municipal Rd. 24)
- Greenspace adjacent to the Lively Citizen Service Centre/Library (15 Kin Dr.)
Last weekend, the 3rd Line team was at the Walden Winter Carnival seeking the public’s input.
“It was not to promote Anderson Farm Museum as the preferred location, it just happened to be the space that was used for the booth at the carnival,” a city spokesperson said, clarifying that they’ve yet to narrow in on a final location.
“There are currently three preferred locations, there is not one site that has been ranked any higher than the others.”
Aware of the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society’s concerns, the spokesperson clarified that the city is currently working with the society and other stakeholders, including the Lively Ski Hill Planning Committee and Walden Seniors & Pensioners, to gather public input.
The city has also set up a public feedback page, which is available by clicking here.
The architects are expected to deliver a final recommendation to city council by mid-2025.
Longtime museum volunteer Gwen Doyle reached out to city council members last month to express her strong opposition to the construction of recreational amenities at the museum site.
“When the Anderson Farm property was purchased by the Town of Walden, it was on condition that the 14 acres would be used as a museum,” she told Sudbury.com, reiterating some of the key points she shared with the city’s elected officials by email.
More recently, the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society published a Facebook post clarifying that they do not support building a recreational facility on the Anderson Farm Museum property.
“We were not formally consulted before the three potential locations were chosen but have recently been in contact with the (City of Greater Sudbury) Recreation Committee and will hopefully be part of the process going forward,” they wrote — something a city spokesperson has clarified is intended to take place.
It’s safe to say the feedback from Anderson Farm Museum stewards will urge the city to develop one of the two shortlisted sites.
Salo expanded on this sentiment in email correspondence with Sudbury.com, noting that volunteers are currently working to designate the site as a provincial heritage site to further protect it. It is currently a municipal heritage site.
If the Anderson Farm Museum were chosen as the location for a recreation amenity, she said that a "significant part” of the budget would likely go toward an archaeological assessment.
A similar such assessment took place in 2022 after historic materials were uncovered when digging a hole for a concrete footing for stairs the previous year.
“The site is currently listed as ‘archaeological importance’ and could defer building the recreational facility for several years and would cost up to tens of thousands of dollars,” Salo said.
A new build might also affect community events which take place at the museum property.
Salo also expressed concern that a recreational facility hasn’t been part of any long-term planning for the Anderson Farm Museum site and that they’ve spent years working toward developing strategic plans for the city’s museums.
“I have traveled to many visitor centers on Museum grounds throughout Canada, U.S. and the U.K. and have never seen a water recreational facility on any museum grounds,” Salo said. “The site is a museum and not a public park.”
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.