The Town of Newmarket is digging up a stormwater pond in George Richardson Park to help improve stormwater management.
The work has been ongoing at the park for several weeks as part of stormwater pond cleanout throughout town. The project, which cost approximately $530,000, funded through the municipal stormwater charge, is meant to ensure the pond can continue to manage stormwater runoff.
The work has meant a temporary closure to the trail from Red Deer Street, Bayview Parkway north and south.
Commissioner of development and infrastructure Peter Noehammer said the town is doing this pond work to prepare for more extreme weather due to climate change.
“Coupled with a growing Newmarket, there is more pressure on our stormwater infrastructure,” Noehammer said.
Newmarket has similarly been cleaning up stormwater ponds throughout the year, including the Gorham Street dry pond and the Best Circle wet pond throughout the summer. Workers are removing sediment buildup in all three of the ponds to ensure they continue functioning properly and preserve watershed health.
“The sediment cleanout allows the town to remove phosphorus, other contaminants and pollutants from paved surfaces and rooftops that flow into the pond when it rains,” Noehammer said. "These pollutants are detrimental to the health of the Holland River and Lake Simcoe where the water ends up. Removal and proper disposal of the sediment means it isn’t washed downstream, protecting the downstream aquatic environments.”
In George Richardson Park, workers are restoring a diversion beam and bypass channel to reduce capacity issues and the risk of flooding there.
The park’s pond had more sediment than the municipality initially estimated, Noehammer said, meaning that the work will last longer than expected at least another four weeks.
You can find more information about the cleanout projects at heynewmarket.ca/stormwaterpondcleanout.
