The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…?
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Public Health Marks Oral Health Month
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is promoting several programs for Oral Health Month, which is happening right this moment and through the month of April.
Among these programs are the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program, which is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services to eligible children and youth 17 and younger from families with limited income. There’s also the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is a publicly-funded program that provides access to oral health care services for low-income seniors, for both preventive (cleanings) and restorative (fillings, extractions) services.
“Ensuring children and seniors have access to quality oral care is an important part of the overall health of our region,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer. “Access to oral care contributes to increased self esteem, as well as good overall health. I’m encouraging all residents of the region to know their oral health options.”
Learn more about Public Health’s oral health programs here.
Changes Coming to Guelph Transit on May 7
If you’re a Guelph Transit user, keep your wits about you at the end of the month because there are changes coming to several routes…
- The following routes will getting a name change but no accompanying schedule or route changes (new names are in parentheses): 6 Harvard Ironwood (6 Ironwood), 7 Kortright Downey (7 Niska), 11 Willow West (11 Silvercreek), 15 University College (15 College).
- The following routes will see an increase in midday service from 30 minutes to 20 minutes, and they will also be getting a name change: 10 Imperial (10 Paisley), 12 General Hospital (12 Delhi), 13 Victoria Road Recreation Centre (13 Eastview).
- The 99 Mainline will pause 9-minute peak service till September and return to 10-minute service.
- The 19 Hanlon Creek will shift times to have the same departure schedule as Route 16 from Clair and Gordon westbound.
There will also be new transfer locations if you’re moving between the 99 Mainline, the 16 Southgate, and the 19 Hanlon Creek.
- Mainline passengers will need to transfer to the 16 and 19 at Clair and Gordon.
- Hanlon Creek passengers will have to transfer at a new bus stop located at Clair at Gosling eastbound, crossing the street at the light to board at the northbound mainline, or get off at the Clair and Gordon westbound stop and transfer onto Route 99 northbound.
- Southgate passengers will have to transfer at the Clairfields at Gosling eastbound stop and cross the road to board the northbound Mainline, or get off at the Clair and Gordon westbound stop to transfer.
City Crews to Remove Invasive Species from Area Parks
Over the next several month, City of Guelph crews will be removing invasive plant species like buckthorn, Japanese knotweed, dog strangling vine and Phragmites from parks and open spaces around the city. Mechanical and herbicide methods will be used to remove the plants, and work for each site takes three to five days to complete, weather permitting. During removals, park facilities and most trails will remain open, however, members of the public are being asked to avoid marked work areas until signs are removed.
Work will take place at the following locations…
Japanese knotweed: Downtown Trail near Ann St. and Earl St, Eramosa River Trail, Heritage Park, James St. Trail, Mico Valeriote Park, Northumberland Park, Paisley and Edinburgh Park & Natural Area, Rapids Side Trail, River Run Centre Property, Royal Recreational Trail near Edinburgh Rd. S., Silvercreek Trail, Speed River Trail near Heritage Park, Spurline Trail, and Westminster Woods Trail Entrance near Beaver Meadows Dr.
Dog strangling vine: Dunhill Park Trail, Eramosa River Trail Natural Areas, Goldie Park, Hadati Creek Trail System, and Howitt Park.
Buckthorn: Bailey Park, Burns Dr. Park, Centennial Park, Clair Road Natural Restoration Area, Colonial Drive Park, Crane Park, Eramosa River Trail Natural Areas, Franchetto Park, Hadati Creek Trail, Kortright Hills Trail Natural Area, MacAlister Park, Marksam Park, Peter Misersky Park, Preservation Park, Riverside Park, Speed River Trail natural Area Entrance off Ingram Dr., Stormwater Pond #111 Near Watson Parkway N., Watson Road North Trail Natural Area, Westminster Woods Trail Natural Area, and Wolfond Park West.
Downtown Notes
Patio season unofficially begins downtown on April 15 and 16 when the protective barriers are delivered.
The City of Guelph is looking for input on the collection of waste in downtown Guelph, and though a full public engagement is coming later this year, the City is right now looking for downtown residents, businesses, and services that use City waste collection to join the working group. You can find the terms of reference and application forms on the Have Your Say site. The deadline to apply is April 14.
Interested in learning more about what archaeologists discovered buried under the Baker Street parking lot? You will be able to find out more in one of two sessions with Mike McCready, project archaeologist, who will deliver a comprehensive analysis of the excavation process, and highlight the discoveries made during the assessment. Register in advanced for session #1 is at the Guelph Public Library on April 26 at 7 pm, or session #2 is at Guelph Civic Museum on April 27 at 7 pm. These sessions are hybrid, both virtual and in-person, but space is limited.
Additional Notes
The Grand River Conservation Authority will be releasing water from reservoirs that filled up with rainwater and snow melt in the last week, so they’re urging people to stay safe around waterways this weekend.
Many of the Guelph Public Library’s digital services, including access to the online catalogue will be unavailable between 6 am and 3 pm on Tuesday April 11 so that upgrades to the Library’s operating system can be completed.
If you’re looking to change the school board you support, or even designate for the first time, follow these simple instructions.
The Wellington Catholic District School Board is collecting feedback for their 2023/24 budget.
The Just for Laughs Road Show comes to town, and the River Run Centre, on Friday April 28.
The United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin’s Women United event returns for a night of mingling, snacks and conversation about women’s issues on Wednesday May 10 from 5-8 pm at the Spring Mill Distillery.
Two noise bylaw exemptions have been granted. The first is for the GAIN Music & Arts Festival at Silence on Essex Street on Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29 till midnight, and the other is more parking lot maintenance at Stone Road Mall and Edinburgh Market Place on the May 6-7 weekend (or the rain date May 13-14).
New and Upcoming Construction
Improvements to HVAC system at the Victoria Road Recreation Centre will see the temporary closure of the pol and other areas of the centre on Tuesday April 11.
Railway improvements will see the closure of the eastern section of the Neeve Street parking lot starting on Wednesday April 12 for between four and six weeks. The walkway from the Neeve Street lot to Wellington Street will also be closed.
City crews will be repairing sidewalks and reducing tripping hazards on upper Wyndham between Quebec and Woolwich starting Monday April 17. Work will continue for six to eight weeks.
Woolwich Street will be closed between Baker and Cardigan for 15 days starting on Monday April 24 for the installation of new sanitary sewars to support the Baker Street Redevelopment.
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