Galt Gardens landscaping work starting
By Lethbridge Herald on September 25, 2024.
Herald photo by Al Beeber
A landscaping project is starting today at the southwest corner of Galt Gardens.Construction is set to start on a landscaping project at the southwest corner of Galt Gardens.
The Capital Improvement Plan funded project between the City of Lethbridge Parks and Urban Revitalization departments is intended to provide “a safer and more welcoming design to the southwest entrance of Downtown Lethbridge’s primary park,” says the City.
The project will improve the “hardscaping,” incorporate two new entrances to the pergola, improve existing lighting and add more lighting. Hardscaping is defined as non-living elements of landscaping such as walkways, stairs, retaining walls, paved areas, driveways and landscaping made up of hard-wearing materials such as wood, stone and concrete.
Fencing is to be up today and the area will be closed to pedestrians.
Most of the project is expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting with some work to be done next spring.
The City says the project began as a collaboration between it and the University of Lethbridge.
“During the fall 2020 semester, four students completed a research project on short- and medium-term initiatives to make Galt Gardens more inclusive. The idea was to improve the landscape areas, through a focus on Indigenous representation, surrounding the pergola in a manner that enhance vibrance and safety. Our Parks and Urban Revitalization teams then worked closely with Indigenous consultant Marjie Crop Eared Wolf on elements of the design, art and language to be included,” says the City.
Cost of the project is $437,000, money which was approved in the 2022-31 CIP.
9-8
So we just spent $700,000 on a playground, which I think was overpriced for what we got and not we are blowing another $500,000 on a park that is over-run by criminals and addicts. Did the city win the lottery? Who is paying for all of this? The buildings are constantly being damaged in this park by lawless punks.
have to agree with say what on this. a place that could be a beautiful green space highlighting our downtown is mostly a space for thugs, and struggling folk, that have come to highlight the reality of our sinking city. are we in a race to the bottom with battleford, sk? if so, i think we are winning. to throw more money at our park without cleaning it out is classic lethbridge city hall: how can we spend money so as to keep the pocket lining ongoing. seems the city has it all backward. city hall motto: gotta keep throwing away money so as to justify large property tax hikes.