Community Beautification and Revitalization

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Align this work with recommendations from the growth plan, putting a priority on our Hamlets. Start with community cores or “main streets” within each of our Hamlet areas – Hubbards, Village of Chester and Periphery, Chester Basin, New Ross, and Western Shore.

Where are the public spaces that can attract people and cause them to linger? What spaces exist that can be activated and facilitate programming either for municipal programs or for community groups?

Identify key locations throughout the municipality that are (or will be) the key places that can attract people and entice them to get out and enjoy the area. Where should these be located if none currently exist? This can also align with the community asset mapping work underway in our Arts & Culture Strategy and priorities identified within the Recreation & Active Living Strategic Outlook. Places not located within a Hamlet area would be included for consideration in Phase 3 of this plan.

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Work with key partners in each Hamlet to develop plans for public spaces. Municipal work would focus on creating a program that is consistent across the municipality while also being responsive to local context. The consistent questions that would be asked in all contexts could include:

• Will this make the area more attractive?
• Will it cause people to linger?
• Can we keep this going? Can we build upon it in future years?
• Is it affordable – both to install and maintain?
• Is it inclusive, safe, and welcoming?

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Identify and put plans in place for “cheap & cheerful” tactics to implement Spring/Summer 2026. This could include:

• Paint, rocks, flowers, native species, and food forests.
• Street furniture.
• Landscaping.
• Lighting (canopies, string lights, etc.).
• Activation (potential partnership with Recreation and/or community groups).

This initial work would be designed to build momentum and would consider multiple uses for the spaces and how we can incorporate basic placemaking concepts, including having multiple things to attract and keep people in key, priority spaces. We want residents to feel pride in their communities and visitors to be attracted to spend more time here.

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Begin engagement with each community identified in the Growth Plan to look at implementing a complete streets approach to the Hamlet areas where traffic is impacting walkability within the community core.

Initiate consultation with the Province to develop plans to implement traffic calming and improve the infrastructure as needed.

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One of the key contributors to an areas ability to attract people is connectivity. How can people get to and navigate the space? Consider multiple methods for people to access priority spaces that are welcoming and accessible.

Develop a system to place “breadcrumbs” that will encourage people to remain in the area longer by making connections to other key spaces simple and obvious. The focus should be on encouraging people to explore additional places within the community from a single stopping point. This can be done by nudging people toward other attractions and locations within the community.

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Once a network of activated public spaces is developed, consider implementing a wayfinding program that incorporates Gateway Signage, directional signage to point people to our key public spaces/destinations, and kiosks with additional community information to encourage people to stay longer in our community cores and visit local businesses.

Plans to implement a wayfinding program would be brought forward for Council’s direction.