On Thursday, October 16, Hawkesbury residents had the opportunity to provide their thoughts on two plans the Town of Hawkesbury is working on.

The Open House Day held at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex allowed citizens to learn and provide input about the new Official Plan which will serve as a policy for planning for land use in the town during the next 20 years. The second plan is a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan which will serve as a strategic tool to guide the development, planning maintenance, and management of the town’s green spaces, recreational facilities, and leisure services during the next 15 years.

“A lot of people had things to say about the Official Plan,” said Town of Hawkesbury Communications Coordinator Stéphanie Simard.

She said their questions involved making sure that both of the plans the town is developing are implemented and that the budget is managed responsibly.

Each municipality in Ontario is required under the Planning Act to have an Official Plan for land use planning. Hawkesbury Chief of Staff Jennifer Ashfield said the plan must follow the Planning Act. A draft of the Official Plan will be developed next and will be presented at another public open house in January 2026. Following that open house, the Official Plan will be sent to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell for approval, and then to the Ontario government for final approval.

At the Open House Day, citizens had the opportunity to leave Post-it note comments on the various display boards discussing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

“I would love to have a wooded nature trail nearby.”

“Walking trail and bicycle path.”

Other comments suggested there should be a more diverse range of activities offered.

“More courses for yoga and meditation.”

“More cricket and baseball.”

“Baseball and volleyball leagues.”

Some comments called for a greater amount of cultural diversity in recreational programming.

“More than just French and English.”

“Multicultural activities.”

“Cosmopolitan diversity.”

There were also comments expressing concerns about safety in public places and recreational areas in Hawkesbury.

“More police surveillance downtown.”

“Police presence on foot in the summer.”

“Place des pionniers, it is not a park. It is a place for homeless people. It’s scary.”

The comments will be used in the further development and eventual implementation of the new Hawkesbury Parks and Recreation Master Plan.