It’s an observation that’s been noticed before and will be noticed again – public meeting attendance for municipally motivated events is on the wane. Budget time draws low numbers; coffee scrums get the grind, and water rates experience a trickle of interest. But if you’re a dog lover on a lovely Saturday morning? You’re at a public meeting about a new off-leash dog park. The recent open house brought more dogs out alone (a whopping 15) than you typically see humans at any of the usual meetings.
If this landmark attendance is any indication of how busy the park will be, it could mean big news for the north end of town. Over the past few years, there has been renewed focus on attracting industry in the south end of town, with the subtle re-alignment of the town’s tourism and building departments into the vaguely termed Community Development office. And the downtown has always been subject to intense scrutiny, for better or worse. Both sectors, industrial and commercial, have been victim to global circumstances of late, so any success is tempered by economic realities.
But, as Coun. Don Van Galen wryly noted during his presentation on the dog park during council last week, politics is local – and the north end of St. Marys is becoming increasingly important. If Highway 7 is the town’s southern psychological barrier, then the Grand Trunk Trail is the Stonetown’s northern border. But – one could argue that the north end is the town’s future. Lovely new homes are springing up on Emily Street and in the developments along Glass Street; the 400-home development planned for the farmland between them seems to be at a standstill – but it will be in good company with a retirement community in the works at the former Dresden site, and whatever residential development will likely supplant Arthur Meighen Public School upon its closure.
That’s a lot of people coming into the area – and some work must be done in advance of their arrival. First, the Grand Trunk Trail between Wellington and James streets must be paved to accommodate the increased foot traffic, and make the area more palatable to the range of new residents. Second, practical retail development needs to be included in any development – especially a gas station – so a review of the official plan is in order.
Third, the new dog park, and nearby Junction Station, need tender loving care. Having a users’ committee oversee the park will hopefully create a pleasant location for dog-owners and park lovers alike.
And, importantly, hopefully provide for a modicum of respect for the historic station, which has sat sadly shuddered for so long. Ideally, the new two- and four-legged foot traffic coming to the area will draw attention to the building’s history and beauty, and perhaps lead to the  continued redevelopment or restoration of the site – creating a centrepiece for the town’s new north. – A.M.