County of Brant Council supported awarding the contract for construction of the Burford King Street Parkette to Ghent Landscape during its Administration and Operations Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
According to a staff report, the project involves the creation of a commons-style park on the southwest corner of the intersection of Maple Avenue South and King Street (125 King St.) in Burford. Improvements are also being made to the nearby parking lot.
The community group called Burford Connects has been working with the County to transform the green space into what will become the village’s first town square, with public consultation having started in March of 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, and the recommended name will come forward in a July report.
As for the design, features include a silo-inspired shade structure and historical panel with gardens and small shade trees surrounding it, an informal picnic area, a permanent Christmas tree, a community-led mural mosaic or historic art piece, accessible picnic table, bench seating and beautification elements with an accessible, concrete pathway going through the area.
According to a staff report, the park will offer opportunities for recreation, relaxation and social gatherings.
The tender for the project was released on Tuesday, May 12, and the County received a total of 11 bids ranging from $345,733.17 to $653,554.01 (excluding HST) in price.
Of those bids, staff recommended that Ghent Construction Ltd., operating as Ghent Landscape, be awarded the contract, as its price was the lowest of the 11 and meet all terms and conditions.
The project scope 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
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.
According to the report, “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’s estimated that the project will be over budget by approximately $36,300.00 for the associated labour, materials associated taxes.
“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.”
Speaking to the recommendation, Councillor David Miller said the project has been in the works for several years, and thanked Phil Mete, General Manager of Community Services (in the role since 2023) and Kathy Ballantyne, Director of Parks and Special Projects for all the work they’ve put into the project.
“I just want to thank Phil and the staff for getting this to where it is. During Phil’s first week with the County, he was actually at Burford meeting with a community group on this very project, and it had been in the works for two or three years before that,” said Miller. “It’s been a long time coming, a lot of thought has gone into it, and I think Megan [Thomas] has done a bang-up job with her designs. I’m very grateful to the community and staff for putting it together.”
Council then approved awarding Ghent Landscape with the contract, which was ratified during the June 23 Council meeting.
Park construction is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the fall.
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.
