Two dozen projects dreamed up and selected by Londoners are going to become a reality in neighbourhoods across the city.
The City of London has announced the winning projects in the 2022 Neighbourhood Decision Making program. They include a bike repair station along the Thames Valley Parkway, a free little Arabic library, and upgrades to the Kiwanis Park baseball fields.
The annual program that allows residents to propose projects to make their neighbourhood a better place divides the city into five regions with each receiving an even split of $250,000 — $50,000 each. The most any one project can be funded for is $30,000.
Nearly 10,000 people cast ballots online, over the phone, and in person last month in favour of the project they most wished to be funded in their neighbourhood. Londoners put 230 proposed projects forward earlier this year, with 78 deemed feasible by city staff making it onto the ballot.
“City staff are excited to start putting the winning ideas in motion over the next year, including playground upgrades, pollinator pathways, a community pantry, bike repair stations along the TVP and dog park improvements,” said Karen Oldham, the city’s manager of neighbourhood development and supports. “We encourage Londoners to start brainstorming ideas with their neighbours to prepare for Neighbourhood Decision Making 2023.”
The 24 winning projects, listed below, will be implemented by the end of 2023.
Neighbourhood Decision Making winning projects:
Central London
Bike repair stations along the Thames Valley Parkway ($12,600)
Tree planting in Gibbons Park ($5,000)
Kensington Village wildflower meadow ($12,500)
Community meals in Queens Park ($4,500)
River’s Edge Disc Golf Course improvements ($15,400)
Northeast London
Outdoor learning and play area upgrades at F.D. Roosevelt Public School ($30,000)
Duck feeding signage around ponds in Northeast London ($1,000)
Story Walk along Stoney Creek Valley Trail ($10,000)
Shade tree planting at Dalkeith Park playground ($5,000)
Naturalized planting in McCormick Park ($4,000)
Northwest London
Planting shade trees near playgrounds in Northwest London ($15,000)
St. Paul Catholic School playground addition ($30,000)
Little Free Library with Arabic books ($3,000)
Nor’west Optimist Playground bike racks ($2,000)
Southeast London
Naturalized planting in Kiwanis Park – Central South ($1,000)
Benches along Westminster Ponds Trails ($15,000)
Upgrades and safety improvements at Kiwanis Park baseball fields ($30,000)
Dog park improvements at Pottersburg Off-Leash Dog Park ($4,000)
Southwest London
Bat houses in Southwest neighbourhoods ($2,000)
Lambeth Optimist Playground addition ($30,000)
Pollinator pathway in Southcrest ($2,700)
Pollinator pathways in Cleardale and White Oaks neighbourhoods ($4,000)
Community pantry in Westmount ($500)
Disc golf baskets in Basil Grover Park ($10,800)
