Belleville mayor says West Hill needs “park we can be proud of”

Belleville’s mayor says residents of the West Hill neighbourhood deserve a proper park and a proposal to reduce the current one’s size in favour of new housing is just that: a concept.

Residents are alarmed by the proposal submitted by developer not yet identified publicly. It proposes reducing the city-owned Westhill Greenspace property on Octavia Street by about 80 per cent. Those who live in the area say they understand the need for housing, but it’s their only park and a vital part of life there.

Members of the informal Westhill Greenspace group expressed their concerns to city council during an August meeting.

Mayor Neil Ellis told The Intelligencer Friday he understands their views and wants to work with the group – and ensure residents don’t end up with the proposed one acre of the five they now have.

“I will not let that happen Ellis said in an exclusive Intelligencer interview in his city hall office.

“I grew up in that neighbourhood. I know the area, and I’m listening.”

He cautioned against assuming development proposals are done deals. They require council approval at several stages. He said he is not yet sold on there being housing on the property.

“Unless it’s passed in the (city) budget, it’s a concept” and not a plan, he said.

Unfortunately for residents, that rule also applies to the group’s original hopes for further phases of park improvement, including walking trails and more. Those projects never made through – and possibly even to – the city’s budgeting process.

“We won’t put it out to an RFP (request for proposals from developers) till we have a public meeting on the concept designs and an open house.”

Ellis said the reduced price is not geared to a person’s income and for many is still not actually affordable.

“Out here on the West Hill, we always feel like we get the short end of the stick,” said Mary Storms, a Greenspace member and a nurse who’s lived in the area since 1979. She said open spaces are important for physical, social, and mental health.

“If you create more housing, you need more space for people to get outside,” she said.

She and fellow member Andrea Mesones said they have heard little from the city since August, though some members spoke with Coun. Chris Malette during an Oct. 5 gathering in the park.

They have asked the city to put playground upgrades into the 2025 budget instead of the previously-scheduled 2026 renewal.