Construction of the Burford Village Square, formally referred to as the Burford King Street Parkette, officially started on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Located at the southwest corner of Maple Avenue South and King Street in Burford, construction is expected to be completed in November, weather permitting.
The community group Burford Connects has been working with the County for several years to transform the green space into what will become the village’s first town square, with public consultation officially beginning in March 2025.
Since then, the community has participated in an open house, voted between two design concepts, provided further considerations and submitted name ideas.
County staff received 46 name submissions and narrowed the list down to five options including “King Maple Gardens,” “Claremont Community Corner,” “The Heart of the Village,” “Burford Village Square” and “Burford Commons.”
Voting took place this year between May 27 and June 17, with 484 votes cast in the public poll. “Burford Village Square” received 61 per cent of vote and was later supported by County Council on July 21 and formally ratified on July 28.
With recreation, relaxation and social gatherings in mind, the park’s design will feature a silo-inspired shade structure, a historical panel with gardens and small shade trees surrounding it, an informal picnic area, a permanent Christmas tree, and a community-led mural mosaic or historic art piece. The space will also include an accessible picnic table, bench seating and beautification elements with a concrete pathway going through the area.
The project is expected to cost approximately $345,733.17 and includes the construction and installation of:
- Updated electrical service to the park, including lighting of the shelter and parking lot
- Accessible pathways throughout the park
- Digital kiosk to provide general information and promote community events
- Shade pavilion
- Site furnishings, including a curved seat wall, park benches, picnic tables, interpretive sign panel, and
- Soil for planting beds
According to a staff report from June 16, “The capital budget for the park project is $275,000.00. A portion of the electrical works is included in the park tender but will be charged to the Roads budget for the Parking Lot project in the amount of approximately $42,545.00 plus HST. The park construction portion of the tender amounts to $304,623.17 plus HST. It is estimated that the project will be over the budget by approximately $36,300.00 for the specified labour, materials associated taxes.”
The report goes on to say, “Finance staff were consulted on the proposed funding for the project budget shortfall and advised the required amount can be funded from the Parkland Dedication Cash-in-Lieu Reserve Fund,” the report stated. “A small contingency of $3,700.00 has been included in the $40,000.00 funding request from the Parkland Dedication Cash-in-Lieu Reserve Fund.”
As mentioned previously, a “Burford” mural is planned to be included in the park, and will be undertaken by Brant Connects. A fundraising campaign is being planned to fund the costs related to the design and installation of the mural and is estimated to cost $8,000.
In a news release from August 19, the municipality advised that several parking spaces nearby will be temporarily unavailable, and asked that the public use caution when travelling around the construction area.
The County also thanked everyone who has taken part in the process leading up to this point, adding that it’s excited to see it in its final form.
“This project has been a true community effort from start to finish. Thank you to Burford Connects for their enthusiasm and partnership with this community initiative,” the release stated. “We also want to thank everyone who submitted naming ideas, participated in the public vote, and helped shape this exciting new space. We’re looking forward to celebrating Burford Village Square as a welcoming place for the community to gather, connect, and enjoy for years to come.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
