Lively/Walden: Help Shape Your Future

A supervised public beach will be available this summer at Centennial Park, 400 Graham Rd. in Whitefish.

The Lively Recreation Project is focused on creating a new community park centred on water and animated by four-season passive recreation opportunities for all ages. The vision is to create a welcoming gathering place that reflects Lively's identity and supports cultural activities, play and everyday connections, while remaining accessible and connected to the broader community. Funding for the project comes from the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of Meatbird Lake Park. These funds are dedicated to enhancing parks and recreation infrastructure in the Lively/Walden community.

Project background

The project builds on several years of community input and planning led by the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel, which was established in 2021 to guide the development of new recreation opportunities in the Walden/Lively area. Community engagement conducted in 2021 and 2022 consistently identified a desire for outdoor, water-focused experiences, trails and multi-generational spaces. Residents also expressed strong support for investing in a single, high-quality destination. Following this work, a detailed design process and additional public consultation were completed to refine options for a new recreational amenity. Three potential sites were evaluated, and Anderson Farm Museum was identified as the preferred location because it best aligned with the project's goals, community needs and long-term vision.

Current phase

In May 2026, City Council approved Anderson Farm Museum as the location for the investment of project funds. The decision confirms the next phase of the project will move forward at this site. Additional design development and planning work will be required before construction begins. The proposed reimagining of Anderson Farm Park reflects community priorities and consultant recommendations. It focuses on creating a unique destination with strong ties to the site's heritage.

Key elements being explored include:

  • A water-focused experience, including a flat-water feature and interactive water play
  • Trails and pathways that support walking, cycling and winter skating
  • Destination play areas for children and families
  • Community gathering spaces that support events and everyday use
  • A public sauna and wellness space that reflects regional culture and community wellness goals
  • Flexible spaces that celebrate the agricultural and cultural history of Anderson Farm

These features are intended to create a vibrant, four-season park that supports recreation, wellness and community connection.

Next steps

Next steps for the project include:

  • Refining the design and exploring phasing options that align with available funding
  • Developing a complete project budget and funding strategy through the 2027 budget process
  • Confirming operational plans, including maintenance and programming requirements
  • Continuing to engage the community as the design evolves

The goal is to deliver a high-quality, long-term investment that will grow with the community and become the heart of Lively.

The Lively Recreation Project is focused on creating a new community park centred on water and animated by four-season passive recreation opportunities for all ages. The vision is to create a welcoming gathering place that reflects Lively's identity and supports cultural activities, play and everyday connections, while remaining accessible and connected to the broader community. Funding for the project comes from the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of Meatbird Lake Park. These funds are dedicated to enhancing parks and recreation infrastructure in the Lively/Walden community.

Project background

The project builds on several years of community input and planning led by the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel, which was established in 2021 to guide the development of new recreation opportunities in the Walden/Lively area. Community engagement conducted in 2021 and 2022 consistently identified a desire for outdoor, water-focused experiences, trails and multi-generational spaces. Residents also expressed strong support for investing in a single, high-quality destination. Following this work, a detailed design process and additional public consultation were completed to refine options for a new recreational amenity. Three potential sites were evaluated, and Anderson Farm Museum was identified as the preferred location because it best aligned with the project's goals, community needs and long-term vision.

Current phase

In May 2026, City Council approved Anderson Farm Museum as the location for the investment of project funds. The decision confirms the next phase of the project will move forward at this site. Additional design development and planning work will be required before construction begins. The proposed reimagining of Anderson Farm Park reflects community priorities and consultant recommendations. It focuses on creating a unique destination with strong ties to the site's heritage.

Key elements being explored include:

  • A water-focused experience, including a flat-water feature and interactive water play
  • Trails and pathways that support walking, cycling and winter skating
  • Destination play areas for children and families
  • Community gathering spaces that support events and everyday use
  • A public sauna and wellness space that reflects regional culture and community wellness goals
  • Flexible spaces that celebrate the agricultural and cultural history of Anderson Farm

These features are intended to create a vibrant, four-season park that supports recreation, wellness and community connection.

Next steps

Next steps for the project include:

  • Refining the design and exploring phasing options that align with available funding
  • Developing a complete project budget and funding strategy through the 2027 budget process
  • Confirming operational plans, including maintenance and programming requirements
  • Continuing to engage the community as the design evolves

The goal is to deliver a high-quality, long-term investment that will grow with the community and become the heart of Lively.

  • November 3, 2021

    • The Panel is presented with demographic information about the residents of their community to inform their decision making
    • City staff present The Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) to the Panel and discuss its integration with the Lively Recreation project. CEEP is the long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions and pollution in Greater Sudbury
    • The Panel is presented with demographic information about the residents of their community to inform their decision making
    • City staff present The Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) to the Panel and discuss its integration with the Lively Recreation project. CEEP is the long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions and pollution in Greater Sudbury

  • October 20, 2021

    • Members of the panel are elected as Chair and Co-Chair
    • Panel members attend a presentation detailing the greenspace analysis for the community of Lively/Walden to support decision making about the community
    • Panel members are also provided information about the state of existing infrastructure
    • Members of the panel are elected as Chair and Co-Chair
    • Panel members attend a presentation detailing the greenspace analysis for the community of Lively/Walden to support decision making about the community
    • Panel members are also provided information about the state of existing infrastructure

  • October 6, 2021

    • Nominations for Chair and Co-Chair of the panel were presented
    • Panel members decide to focus advertisements on youth engagement
    • A review of existing recreation projects in the community was completed while assessing preliminary survey results
    • Nominations for Chair and Co-Chair of the panel were presented
    • Panel members decide to focus advertisements on youth engagement
    • A review of existing recreation projects in the community was completed while assessing preliminary survey results

  • September 22, 2021

    • City Staff and The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel are introduced
    • The Terms of Reference and project background were discussed
    • Panel members provided their input on Lively/Walden priorities for recreation in their community
    • City Staff and The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel are introduced
    • The Terms of Reference and project background were discussed
    • Panel members provided their input on Lively/Walden priorities for recreation in their community
Page last updated: 24 Jul 2026, 01:35 PM