Conversations about what to do with Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay are ongoing.

Red River Ward Councillor, Brian McKinnon has broached the idea to city administration about making Colonel Keane Drive a one-way option to improve traffic flow.

In an email to Acadia News, the Director of Engineering and Operations, Kayla Dixon confirmed that they are looking at solutions for the deteriorated parking lot at Hillcrest Park.

“Parks does not have a large envelope of funding to dedicate to paving parking lots,” said Dixon, in the email. “Hillcrest Park parking lot is identified in their forecast, but so are several other priority roads and parking lots that need renewal as well, such as Centennial Park and Boulevard Lake.”

When discussing Councillor McKinnon’s proposal to pave the parking lot with any leftover funds from capital projects this year, Dixon stated, “It’s not an inexpensive project with a considerable length of road and paved surface as well as likely curb replacements. This year’s contracts may still have unknown extra costs that we need to keep funds available to pay for if necessary.”

Meantime, McKinnon adds although Hillcrest Park is not in his ward, he along with McKellar Councillor, Brian Hamilton have fielded calls about the park.