Early Childhood Week: review of the second commitment as a Child Friendly City (CFC)

Published on 19 November 2024

In this 9th edition of the Early Childhood Week, from November 18 to 24, the Town of Sutton is proud to present its first annual review as a Child Friendly City (CFM). Each day of this week, we will be highlighting one of the four commitments made by the Town over the next three years, and the achievements made in this regard. On October 20, 2023, the Town of Sutton was awarded the prestigious Child Friendly City (CFC) certification by Espace MUNI in collaboration with UNICEF Canada. To obtain this certification, an application was submitted, presenting numerous actions already implemented by the Town, as well as four clear commitments to improve the quality of life of the community’s children, in line with the Families and Seniors Policy and its 2023-2027 action plan. Yesterday, we presented the first commitment the progress of the Gagné Park redesign project. Today, we present the second commitment. Second commitment: Make the access to Goyette-Hill Park safer by redeveloping the northern part of Western Street Western Street gives access to Goyette-Hill Park, where the Town’s main sports facilities are located. The sidewalk was too narrow and obsolete, and was located on the opposite side of the street from the park. Despite being a residential street, traffic often exceeded the 30 km/h limit, since it can serve as a shortcut between two major roads, 139 and 215. The municipality’s objective was to provide safe access to the park, adapt it to children’s needs and encourage active transport. The work took place from spring to fall…

In this 9^th edition of the Early Childhood Week, from November 18 to 24, the Town of Sutton is proud to present its first annual review as a Child Friendly City (CFM). Each day of this week, we will be highlighting one of the four commitments made by the Town over the next three years, and the achievements made in this regard.

On October 20, 2023, the Town of Sutton was awarded the prestigious Child Friendly City (CFC) certification by Espace MUNI in collaboration with UNICEF Canada. To obtain this certification, an application was submitted, presenting numerous actions already implemented by the Town, as well as four clear commitments to improve the quality of life of the community’s children, in line with the Families and Seniors Policy and its 2023-2027 action plan.

Yesterday, we presented the first commitment the progress of the Gagné Park redesign project. Today, we present the second commitment.

Second commitment: Make the access to Goyette-Hill Park safer by redeveloping the northern part of Western Street

Western Street gives access to Goyette-Hill Park, where the Town’s main sports facilities are located. The sidewalk was too narrow and obsolete, and was located on the opposite side of the street from the park. Despite being a residential street, traffic often exceeded the 30 km/h limit, since it can serve as a shortcut between two major roads, 139 and 215.

The municipality’s objective was to provide safe access to the park, adapt it to children’s needs and encourage active transport.

The work took place from spring to fall 2024. Several measures were implemented:

A new, wider sidewalk was built on the street side of the park, facilitating access for families;
The intersection of Principale Street and Western Street has been reconfigured to improve visibility. The addition of the stamped concrete strip serves as a visual element to slow and improve traffic flow, while allowing fire trucks and other bigger vehicles to make wider manoeuvres if required;
Flower planters will be installed on the street during the summer to reduce traffic to one lane in certain places, slowing down the speed of motorists;
The stairs providing access to the park from the second parking lot have been replaced by a paved ramp, facilitating access for people with reduced mobility or families with strollers (accessible in spring 2025).