Frequently Asked Questions
Fence Installation is scheduled for end of July to August.
Parkette and Trail construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2025 with a target opening date of October/November (subject to weather and site conditions).
Softscape (Plantings/sodding/seeding/restoration) and final cleanup may occur in the spring of 2026 subject to weather.
What's the issue in the area?
The Town was informed by the developer that arsenic was found in the soil during testing before building homes. This land was an apple orchard over 50 years ago, and the pesticides used at the time contained arsenic. As a result of pesticide use over time, low levels of arsenic built up in the surface soils within the area.
The residential area was cleaned to safe levels prior to construction, but the wooded areas still have a low level of residual arsenic in the soil in some places. A plan was developed in consultation with the MECP to restrict access to these areas to prevent contact with contaminated soil.
Can you clarify the areas associated?
Environmentally Sensitive Wooded Area: Dense forest areas requiring restricted access.
Clean Subdivision Lands: Cleared lands, buffer around residential homes, approved areas where the homes are, and around William Dunn Crescent where the new trail and a parkette will be installed.
Why can't we walk through the wooded areas anymore?
Some soil in the wooded areas has residual arsenic contamination from historic use of pesticides when the area was a farm orchard back in the 1950’s. The soil in the William Dunn subdivision area was cleaned during construction of the homes, with the lands being removed and replaced, as noted in Photo 1 below.
Fully cleaning the wooded area south of the subdivision would have required removing most of the trees, which wasn't deemed desirable based on community feedback at the Public Information Centre (PIC) the Town hosted many years ago. Therefore, significant efforts were made to remediate the affected areas, including soil cleaning, hot spot treatments, risk assessments, and the implementation of risk management plans. It was also decided that usage restrictions would allow the forest to be kept intact, while meeting a high level of safety out of an abundance of caution.
Recently, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) found that use of the wooded area did not meet the requirements laid out in the Certificate of Property Use (CPU) . The Town retained an environmental consultant and began working to review the CPU and select appropriate compliance measures. As a result of this work, and in consultation with the MECP, the Town will be installing a fence and signage. These additional measures will restrict access to the environmentally sensitive wooded area south of the subdivision, to ensure compliance with Provincial Regulations. Signage will also be installed in other areas of the CPU lands.
Why are you only installing a fence south of William Dunn?
The Town conducted an onsite assessment and found that the most consistent use of the wooded areas by the public was in the area south of William Dunn, as seen by footpaths, handmade wooden bridges across streams, wooden structures, etc.). The other wooded areas of the CPU did not show signs of significant/prolonged use. Additionally, the wooded area north of William Dunn is very dense, making it difficult for the public to access. Therefore, the northern areas was deemed only to require signage to restrict use as required by MECP.
Why wasn’t fencing and signage installed previously?
Significant communication efforts were provided previously to the community to stay out of the CPU lands; however, use of the lands has been observed recently. Therefore, fencing and signage are now a requirement through the updated CPU, and will be implemented to establish a clear boundary for these lands.
Will this affect my property value?
It is not anticipated that property values will be impacted. The Town is improving the area by adding walking trails and a parkette, making it more attractive to potential homebuyers.
Views of the forest will be maintained.
Will the Town be monitoring potential parking issues that may arise with the new parkette and trail?
Yes, the Town of Newmarket will be monitoring the neighbourhood should potential parking issues arise.
The new parkette and trail is intended for the William Dunn community to use. It is a small parkette and does not offer the kind of attraction which would be expected to generate additional traffic to the neighbourhood. In addition, the Dr. Margaret Arkinstall Park is nearby, which includes a larger playground, and spray pad and would be a bigger draw for the public. While there is sometimes a short-term increase in usage for a new playground, it is not generally sustained for long after opening.
Was an alternative to asphalt considered for the new pathway such as crushed strong or gravel (or a more natural trail)?
Other surface materials where considered, however, to meet accessibility requirements and minimize yearly maintenance, asphalt was the preferred surface.
Why is the Town installing a new trail and parkette?
The trail and parkette was planned in response to community feedback over many years. It is identified as a need in the Town’s Parks and Recreation 10-Year Capital Plan that was approved by Newmarket Council.
In addition, an existing unpaved trail was already present in the same area. The trail was historically maintained by Barry Conrad who mowed the original path and built the first handmade benches in the area prior to his passing.
To continue his legacy and provide a local recreation space for the William Dunn residents, the Town is proposing to pave the existing route that will connect to the John Smith Trail.
The Town recognizes the feedback from the community, as a result, work on the parkette and trail will not commence this fall as originally planned. The Town will conduct further public engagement in the coming months and will keep you updated on all opportunities for engagement.
What is included in the parkette and trail?
The parkette will feature a 3,000 square feet (300m2) of play surface that will include both a junior and senior playground providing local play opportunities for children and grandchildren in the neighbourhood.
The junior playground will be designed for children aged approximately 2–5 years, and the senior playground for those aged 5–12 years.
Benches are proposed along the trail, and additional planting—including a buffer and shade trees—will be added around the playground area.
Will this new trail and parkette impact the neighbourhood with more noise and traffic?
The new parkette and trail is intended for the William Dunn community to use. It consists of small features like those in parkettes located throughout the Town. It does not provide a major attraction, and the Town therefore doesn’t anticipate much traffic to the area. Additional plantings will also be provided to increase/improve noise and privacy. The playground is also positioned away from the rear yard to avoid privacy and noise concerns.
Will this project have any impact to our property taxes?
The budget to construct the new parkette and trail was approved as part of the 2025 Budget Process, and we do not anticipate any increases to property tax rates due to this project.
How many trees is the Town removing to construct the trail, parkette and fence
Removal of healthy trees is not anticipated with the current proposed design. Only trees identified as dead or in decline may be subject to removal if in proximity to the trail or parkette and pose a risk to public safety.
ow long will the project take from start to finish?
Will the fireflies be harmed during the construction?
Fireflies live in both wooded and meadow areas. The Town is not conducting any construction near the wooded areas and therefore we do not anticipate that the fireflies will be disturbed.