Cecil and Wilma Graham Park Improvements

Cecil and Wilma Graham Park is located along the shoreline of Colonel By Lake which forms part of the Rideau Canal system. Access to this site is from Aragon Road. A new boat ramp and parking area are planned for construction in 2026. These improvements are part of the City of Kingston's Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Waterfront Master Plan. Improvements will provide boat access to Colonel By Lake.

How we engaged

In-person public meeting

A public meeting was held in the evening on Sept. 26, 2024, at the Glenburnie Firehall, located not far from the park. The meeting was advertised through direct outreach to neighbours of the park and local community members, as well as with signs placed on site and along the roadway near the park, and the City’s website calendar.

About 35 people attended the event. It featured a presentation from City Staff and project consultants. Following the presentation, an open mic question and answer opportunity was provided to attendees.

Online survey

A survey was launched the same evening that the public meeting was held. It included three open-ended questions. The survey was available to the community for input from Sept. 26 to Oct. 14. There were 88 contributors to the survey.

Additional feedback

Additional feedback received via email were incorporated into the survey feedback.

What we heard

Through the input received during the public meeting and from responses to the survey, common themes were identified. The word cloud below shows the 50 most referenced words. Larger words are those that were heard more frequently.

Survey reporting

The survey asked participants three open-ended questions. After reviewing the responses for common themes, three significant themes emerged. These themes were the value of natural and rural spaces, access to water and nature, and community concerns.

Responses were largely positive toward enhancing public water access for low-impact recreational use, but includes a clear call for thoughtful, respectful development that preserves the local environment and community, and rural character of the site.

Question 1: What do you value most about the park and/or area around it?

Value of natural and rural spaces: 37 responses valued maintaining and preserving the natural environment. The area’s green space, woodlands, and wildlife are seen as crucial aspects of its charm. There is a strong desire to maintain the natural and rural feel associated with the area.

Access to the water and nature: 31 responses valued the park as a quiet and serene space close to home, ideal for activities like bird watching, hiking, and fishing. The proximity of the park to the lake allows many to enjoy it as a space to relax and connect with nature.

Community concerns: 7 responses expressed concerns related to current maintenance of the park and the impact of garbage pollution. Maintaining the cleanliness and pristine condition of the park is important to these respondents.

Question 2: What do you think is important for us to know about this area?

Value of natural and rural spaces: 20 responses highlighted the park's natural, undeveloped state and its peaceful location outside the city. They emphasized preserving the park’s wildlife, biodiversity, and natural amenities, advocating for simple, minimal improvements that maintain its rural character.

Access to the water and nature: 32 responses expressed a strong need for better public access to water, especially for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The park is viewed as underutilized and lacking amenities, and there is a desire for more investment, including better trails, seating, and improved water access.

Community concerns: 16 responses expressed concerns about safety, maintenance, and increased traffic. Issues include the area's current misuse for possible illegal activities, lack of regular maintenance, and safety hazards from hunting and illicit gatherings.

Question 3: Please share any other comments or input related to this project

Value of natural and rural spaces: 7 responses expressed appreciation for the park's current undeveloped state and expressed a desire to protect its natural landscape from overdevelopment. Maintaining a rural park feel and experience was seen as important to respect the original intent of the land donation.

Access to the water and nature: 31 responses demonstrated a strong desire for improved public access to water, especially after the loss in access to the previous boat ramp in the area. Many responses indicated they would like to see some development of the park, with mention of well-maintained boat launch, additional parking, and better signage to increase visibility and access, as well as amenities like picnic tables or benches. There was emphasis on a boat launch design that was suited to kayaks and canoes as well. Improved park maintenance was also suggested.

Community concerns: 9 responses brought forward concerns about the City's management of the park. There is frustration over the lack of maintenance, with some suggesting the city consider alternative locations for a boat launch, like Belle Park or Rideau Acres. Concerns were also expressed about potential environmental impacts, such as damage to the shoreline and the spread of invasive species. There are also worries about attracting unwanted activity, like camping or fires.

Next steps

The project team will work to incorporate feedback into a refined design which will be shared for feedback sometime in 2025. Construction of the boat ramp is not expected to begin until 2026.

To identify suitable boat ramp locations, a field investigation was completed. The investigation included a water depth (bathymetric) survey of 650 m of shoreline. As part of the survey, observations were made of submerged tree stumps, lakebed material composition and aquatic vegetation. The map below describes the advantages and disadvantages of four alternatives that were first considered. Of these four alternatives, two were considered viable based on depths and field observations, and one alternative is preferred due to the ability to consider a pathway to a potential lookout.

Below is a conceptual drawing showing how a boat ramp might look for Alternative 3. The drawing shows the various elements of the project, including a pathway to a lookout, an open waterfront lawn area with a picnic table in the shade of the existing trees, and water access features, including a turnaround for trailers and a parking area.