North Kawartha Council has approved a $58,600 enhancement project for Riverview Park in Apsley.
According to a report presented to council by Gary Geraldi, Director of Parks and Recreation/Waste Management, the park, located between residential properties and fronting on Eels Creek, has been on the township’s worklist for quite some time.
Geraldi stated that significant efforts were made during 2023 and 2024 to restore and enhance the park’s natural features, accessibility, and usability. However, the ice storm in 2025 caused significant damage to the park. As a result of that damage, the planned enhancement work was delayed while priority was given to storm cleanup operations and the restoration of safe public access throughout the park.
Before the storm halted the improvement timeline, some of the work at Riverview Park that has already been completed by the Parks and Rec staff include:
• Removal of dead, fallen, and hazardous trees within striking distance of trails and pathways.
• Restoration and reopening of existing trail networks throughout the park, including access to Eels Creek.
• Distribution of wood-chip mulch along forested trails.
• Clearing and enhancement of the riverside area adjacent to Eels Creek.
• Construction of a gravel parking area at the park entrance to accommodate visitors and support compliance with the “No Parking” restrictions on Riverview Drive.
• Installation of bear-resistant waste and recycling receptacles.
• Design and installation of a new Riverview Park entrance sign.
• Installation of approximately 400 feet of 6-foot-high black chain-link fencing along neighbouring property boundaries.
• Development and maintenance of vegetative buffer zones to enhance privacy for adjacent property owners.
• Restoration of grassed areas for public enjoyment.
• Ongoing maintenance of trails, shoreline areas, and grassed spaces.
• Development of a comprehensive park concept plan incorporating environmentally sustainable and ecologically sensitive design principles
After extensive clean-up from the ice storm, the park was eventually re-opened late in 2025.
In 2026, park plans were circulated to council for consideration.
The township then sent out requests for quotations from contactors that specialize in naturalization and environmentally responsible landscape design.
They received only one submission from a local company called Clearwing Ecological Gardening.
According to Geraldi, based on assessments done by Clearwing, a phased implementation plan over the Fall season has been developed that incorporates both hardscape improvements initially and then softscape.
His report stated that the required arboricultural work would be undertaken collaboratively by Clearwing Ecological Gardening, a certified local Arborist and Parks and Recreation staff to ensure the project is completed safely and in accordance with best environmental practices.
Included in Clearwing Ecological Gardening’s quote was:
Forest restoration work:
- Two days with team of four technicians to remove invasive Periwinkle and Lily of the Valley on both sides of the trail near the existing outhouse.
- Removal of 10x10 patch of invasive Reed Canary Grass at edge of Picnic Area. - Delivery and installation of up to 100 native perennials with compost to restore biodiversity and forest health post-removal.
- Disposal of invasive plant material.Outdoor Classroom Area:
- Creation of a half-circle shaped seating area (approx. 980 square feet) bordered by native shrubs with edible fruit.
- Delivery and Installation of Organic Weed Barrier to reduce maintenance.
- Delivery and Installation of plant materials, including up to 16 native, fruit-bearing shrubs with compost.
• Shoreline Buffer Garden, Property Boundary Garden & Fence Plantings, and Picnic Area Garden:
- Installation of a Shoreline Buffer Garden of approximately 100’ long and 10’ wide with space for a bench to be added within.
- Installation of Property Boundary Garden to enhance privacy, reduce noise, and add beauty, approximately 60’ long by 15-20’ wide. Vines will be planted along the open fence line to enhance privacy, reduce noise, and beautify the trail.
- Installation of a c-shaped Picnic Area Pollinator Garden, approximately 50’ long by 15’ wide, which will define and beautify the space.
- Delivery and installation of Organic Weed Barrier to reduce ongoing maintenance, and Triple-Mix Soil for planting.
- Delivery and Installation of plant materials, including up to 500 native perennials and/or shrubs.
• Installation of Plantings to Infill Woodland Trails and Enhance Parking Lot Area
- Planting shade perennials and shrubs to re-naturalize bare, disturbed spaces along trails.
- Closing in and re-naturalizing the short-cut between trails nearest the picnic area.
- Enhancing and defining areas surrounding parking lot with native perennials and shrubs, and planting up to five coniferous trees for privacy and noise barrier near fenced corner.
- Delivery and Installation of plant materials and compost, including up to 440 native shade perennials and/or shrubs.
The total cost of this work by Clearwing was quoted as $48,600 plus HST. Geraldi said there would also be about $8000 worth of Arborist costs and $2000 for supplies for this project.
The grand total of the Riverview Park Enhancement project is estimated at $58,600 plus HST to be funded through two township reserve funds (36,000 from the Parks Reserve Funds and 22,600 from General Reserves).
Geraldi said that when the township first started this project planning in 2021, they estimated the project to cost about $85,000. After the project is completed, he said it is estimated the actual cost will be around $100,000, which Geraldi said was not far off from the estimate five years ago considering cost increases over the years.
After the report was presented to council, they had the opportunity to ask questions or for clarification on the details.
Deputy Mayor Jim Whalen asked if anyone ever used the park as he never saw any cars parked in the lot.
Mayor Carolyn Amyotte said that you would be able to see people in the park just driving by, even if the lot seemed empty. She said that she even used the park, accessing it by walking in while in town, not parking there.
Geraldi echoed the statement, saying he also had reservations about use of the park, however as he continued to monitor the site and work on the project, he has noticed many people accessing the area by foot and by bike.
It was also asked if the park was accessible. Geraldi stated that grass is classified as accessible and there are materials they could place on the path leading to the water at a later date. Amyotte stated that there were funds available through the county to help with creating accessible spaces and staff should look into that for this project.
The recommendation to approve the implementation of the Riverview Park Enhancement Plan was approved by council.
