Steady progress continues in downtown Forest to revitalize the King Street parkette.
Phase two of the Downtown Forest King Street Parkette Project is currently underway.
Sod and trees were installed in May, while flower planters, lit bollards, and accessible tables and chairs were added this past summer.
"There's still some work to be done," said Mayor Doug Cook. "We still need to install a stage and finish some decorative landscaping. But we did install a year-round washroom, located nearby."
The municipality purchased two vacant lots at 33 and 35 King Street West in 2024, to create a community space for events and gatherings.
Phase one, which involved surfacing the area and adding utility services, was completed earlier this year.
Cook said graphic panels still need to be created and installed as part of phase two.
Phase three will involving constructing a stage.
Cook said the project may be officially completed by next spring.
During the planning process, the municipality consulted with several community groups such as the Forest BIA, Forest Collective, Kiwanis Club of Forest, Forest Garden Club, and Optimist Club of Forest.
"It's a great collaboration between the community groups and council," Cook said. "We looked at it as an opportunity to do something nice for the community and create a good space down there. It needed it."
According to a report presented to council in February, the total cost of the project is expected to be $616,569, with 25 per cent ($154,618) covered through grant funding.
For phase two of the project, the municipality received $31,718 in Rural Ontario Development funding and the remaining $58,905 was funded from the Land Improvement Reserve.
