Lively/Walden: Help Shape Your Future

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

The Project

City Council has agreed to the sale of Meatbird Lake Park to Vale Canada Limited for $4 million. Funds from the sale will be reinvested into the Lively/Walden community to develop new recreational opportunities and will ensure local residents have access to safe ways to play in the area.

Proceeds of the $4 million sale are being held in the Capital Financing Reserve Fund – General, and are dedicated to the improvement of leisure infrastructure in the Walden (Lively) area.

In the interim, a supervised beach at Centennial Park, located at 400 Graham Road in Whitefish, is available for residents until a new recreation opportunity is established.

Lively Recreation Advisory Panel

The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel was formed in the fall of 2021 with ten members from Walden/Lively community.

Update: On April 12, 2022, City Council approved the nomination of to fill the older adult resident vacancy on the panel. The new panel member has been formally welcomed and introduced to the project by City staff. They will join the panel for the next meeting on April 27, 2022.

Watch the recorded Nominating Committee Meeting here

The panel continues to meet monthly to discuss options for new recreational amenities and prepare to move forward with the next round of community engagement. Meetings are recorded and available on this page.

First Round Community Engagement

The initial engagement took place from September 17 to November 8, 2021. A survey and idea board were available on Over to You. There were several online tools and information sources available, including background reports, frequently asked questions, posters, a survey and an idea board. Paper copies were also available at Citizen Service Centre//Library locations, and residents could submit their feedback via 311.

The Over to You site received a total of 3,000 visitors with 513 engaged visitors. The survey received 396 responses through the online portal, 311 and paper copies.

Second Round Community Engagement

In April, residents will be notified of a notice of collection for telephone survey and second online survey to provide their input as we continue to present recommendations to Council for consideration by the summer of 2022. A variety of online and print communications will inform the public of input opportunities.

Members of the panel are working with City staff to present the next set of recommendations to City Council in early summer of 2022, supported by results of polling/engagement and the work of the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel.


Read the full report and process update

The Project

City Council has agreed to the sale of Meatbird Lake Park to Vale Canada Limited for $4 million. Funds from the sale will be reinvested into the Lively/Walden community to develop new recreational opportunities and will ensure local residents have access to safe ways to play in the area.

Proceeds of the $4 million sale are being held in the Capital Financing Reserve Fund – General, and are dedicated to the improvement of leisure infrastructure in the Walden (Lively) area.

In the interim, a supervised beach at Centennial Park, located at 400 Graham Road in Whitefish, is available for residents until a new recreation opportunity is established.

Lively Recreation Advisory Panel

The Lively Recreation Advisory Panel was formed in the fall of 2021 with ten members from Walden/Lively community.

Update: On April 12, 2022, City Council approved the nomination of to fill the older adult resident vacancy on the panel. The new panel member has been formally welcomed and introduced to the project by City staff. They will join the panel for the next meeting on April 27, 2022.

Watch the recorded Nominating Committee Meeting here

The panel continues to meet monthly to discuss options for new recreational amenities and prepare to move forward with the next round of community engagement. Meetings are recorded and available on this page.

First Round Community Engagement

The initial engagement took place from September 17 to November 8, 2021. A survey and idea board were available on Over to You. There were several online tools and information sources available, including background reports, frequently asked questions, posters, a survey and an idea board. Paper copies were also available at Citizen Service Centre//Library locations, and residents could submit their feedback via 311.

The Over to You site received a total of 3,000 visitors with 513 engaged visitors. The survey received 396 responses through the online portal, 311 and paper copies.

Second Round Community Engagement

In April, residents will be notified of a notice of collection for telephone survey and second online survey to provide their input as we continue to present recommendations to Council for consideration by the summer of 2022. A variety of online and print communications will inform the public of input opportunities.

Members of the panel are working with City staff to present the next set of recommendations to City Council in early summer of 2022, supported by results of polling/engagement and the work of the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel.


Read the full report and process update

  • April 27, 2022

    • The Panel provides feedback and guidance for City staff for community engagement of the second survey
    • Key themes and questions are discussed by the Panel relating to the second survey
    • City staff advise the Panel about ongoing recreational projects in the Lively/Walden area to inform their decision making. Specifically, playground and outdoor court revitalizations.

  • April 12, 2022

    City Council approves the nomination of to fill the older adult resident vacancy on the panel. The new panel member has been formally welcomed and introduced to the project by City staff. They will join the panel for the next meeting on April 27, 2022.

    Watch the recorded Nominating Committee Meeting here

  • March 23, 2022

    • At the request of the Panel, a guest speaker presents key information about Simon Lake and its potential as a recreation amenity for investment
    • High levels of phosphorus and previous attempts to remediate the lake are key facts considered by the Panel
    • Collectively, they determine not to proceed with Simon Lake as an option for the project
    • Next steps for the second round The Panel discusses next steps for community engagement with City Staff

  • February 23, 2022

    • The Panel receives a message from Mayor Bigger
    • Futures North presents to the panel on youth engagement
    • The Panel discusses the second phase of engagement with City Staff to ensure maximum opportunity for resident input
    • The Panel is presented with some examples of past recreational projects, active projects, and initiatives within the City of Greater Sudbury

  • January 26, 2022

    • A Panel vacancy was announced and steps to fill the position were reviewed
    • The report to City Council with key findings was reviewed and discussed

    Key findings included:

    • Targeted youth engagement is required
    • Collaboration with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek should be undertaken
    • Emphasis on the budget will need to be reiterated to manage community expectations
    • The project investment should be low or no cost to residents, and should target projects which provide accessible recreation options
    • Central themes for residents are the establishment or enhancement of a swimming feature, the development of active outdoor amenities, and co-located with community gathering spaces

  • November 17, 2021

    • The results from the first community engagement process are reviewed with the Panel members
    • These findings are discussed and summarized to inform the recommendations report to City Council

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
Page last updated: 02 May 2022, 10:26 AM