Bloomfield Mill Pond Main Street Connection

Project Overview

The Bloomfield and Area Business Association (BABA) and the Bloomfield Recreation Committee are working together with support from the County to improve access to, and awareness of, the beautiful, naturalized wetlands and ecological habitat surrounding Bloomfield’s Mill Pond.

This project seeks to improve access to the park and pond from Mill Street and the Quaker Cemetery (via Bloomfield Main Street) by developing pathways, seating and signage.

The project has progressed as follows:

• Phase 1 -- COMPLETED-- Development of a broad conceptual design plan and public/stakeholder consultation (Timeline: March 2024 - September 2024)
  • View the Mill Street Path Design here
  • View the Quaker Cemetery-Mill Pond Path Design here
• Phase 2 -- UNDERWAY -- Procurement planning and construction to execute as much of the design plan as the budget permits (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
• Phase 3 – FUTURE -- Will seek to complete work from the conceptual design plan that is not financially feasible to do during Phase 2. (Timeline TBD; subject to securing funding)

Public Engagement

Throughout Phase 1, the project team consulted with the community, neighbours and stakeholders (e.g. Quinte Conservation, property stakeholders, representatives of the Glenwood Cemetery Board, Field Naturalists, and more) to define the scope of the project and determine the design concept.

A public open house was held on Monday, June 3, 2024, followed by a public survey to understand the priorities of the community. Two key outcomes resulted from the public engagement:

1) Pond Health

• Community input highlighted the need to better understand the health of the pond.
• Suggested actions ranged from installation of aerators, removal of beaver dams and introducing new species of fish to doing nothing and leaving the pond as-is.
• Next steps cannot be identified until the pond's state is better understood.

ACTION TAKEN:

• Quinte Conservation has been contracted to conduct water testing. This is a 2-year process with testing taking place each spring.
• Next steps will be determined and implemented in Phase 3 or beyond.

2) Access to Mill Pond

• Improving access to the Mill Pond Park and pond from Mill Street was also identified as a priority.
• Current issues include no pathway through the park creating barriers to access the playground, tennis court, pond and theatre.

ACTION TAKEN:

• The design plan includes the construction of an accessible pathway from Mill Street to the Brick Street parking lot, with a fence to delineate the neighbouring private property.
• Planning is underway to procure a contractor to construct the Mill Street to Brick Street pathway with work slated to take place between Fall/Winter 2024 and Spring 2025, pending vendor’s schedule and weather.
• If budget allows, additional work from the broader plan may take place in the park and/or Quaker Cemetery during this phase. Please watch this page for updates.

About Mill Pond Park

Mill Pond Park is in the heart of the village of Bloomfield, and is well-loved and well-used by the community. The park features tennis courts, a play structure, an outdoor theatre and washrooms, as well as the Mill Pond itself. A number of dedicated community members are working together to help preserve the health and well-being of the pond while creating better access to this natural space.

Wetlands are fascinating, but there isn't often the opportunity to venture into them due to the dense vegetation, seasonal standing water, and deep organic soils. Improving access invites the public to observe the pond's vegetation and wildlife in action, while also providing an opportunity to educate and build support for the protection and restoration of wetland areas.

Parkland funds will be used to ensure that the Bloomfield Mill Pond Park project is welcoming and open to the greater community, and accessible to all. The budget for this project is $80,000.