Sarnia's mayor is looking forward to "innovative and exciting" improvements on the horizon for Kenwick Park in Bright's Grove.
City council will be asked on Monday to adopt a design plan and move the project forward in phases through future budget deliberations.
High-level cost estimates for the final design are $985,000, read a report to council.
"This is working to build on those investments of energy and equity-sweat by people in the Bright's Grove area to make that park -- which is a landmark park in the city going back to the 1930s and '40s," Mike Bradley said. "It's going to be planned over time to invest, particularly with the basketball court, a waterfront viewing area, pavilion and gazebo improvements, those things are all most welcome."
Improvements listed in the final design report include an accessible boardwalk along the park's western edge, a heritage dancefloor/community events space that can also be used for markets, an adventure playground, a pollinator garden, and parking lot enhancements.
Bradley said discussions are underway with residents who live near the park to ensure compatibility with the proposed improvements.
"To me, it's just an exciting way of reinventing and renewing a park that has been a legend in the minds of Sarnians for many years," Bradley said.
The park's most recent addition is a new splashpad, made possible through a generous donation from the Pat and Val Gladwish Foundation.
The splash pad was officially unveiled on Thursday, June 18.
City council also approved $150,000 through the 2026 capital budget process to install a new basketball court, near the tennis courts.
Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson was hired in June 2024 to provide concept design services, and public feedback was collected in 2025.
