Paradise asking Ottawa to fund wetland project

By Mark Squibb/October 7, 2022

The Town of Paradise is hoping to develop the wetland area of Elizabeth Park with a little help from the federal government.

Council voted unanimously last week to apply for funding from Ottawa.

“The Infrastructure and Engineering committee has identified the Elizabeth Park Wetland Improvement project as potentially meeting the requirements of the funding stream,” said councillor Deborah Quilty. “The project estimate is still being deduced but it is expected to be within the range of $200,000.”

Under the program, municipalities are eligible for funding of up to $250,000 for projects with a capital cost of $250,000 or less.

“Projects must be shovel ready and construction complete by the end of 2024,” said Quilty. “The deadline for submission of applications is September 27.”

Councillor Glen Carew asked if the wetland in question is the wetland in the area of Stephanie Avenue where council has before discussed installing boardwalks to keep residents dry.

Quilty suspected it was the same area.

Councillor Larry Vaters applauded the motion to apply for funding.

“I’m pleased we’re applying for this funding, and I’m hopeful that the upper wetland area of Elizabeth Park will qualify,” said Vaters. “Using the wetland itself as natural infrastructure, and a trail around it to access nature, coupled with storyboards to obviously tell a story of wetland function, would certainly make it a destination. I think this has the makings of an interesting addition to the town if approved.”