The railways that have historically connected Sudbury to the nation and transported its minerals have become the city's greatest obstacle in connecting communities to the very things that make the region so extraordinary: it's geology, it's nature and it's water.
I believe the potential in reimagining Sudbury's rail lines is as great as their size. I propose the following phased strategies for Greater Sudbury that endeavors to repurpose these railways into lines of communal connection and ecological restoration.
Phase 1 emphasizes the connection between Sudbury and Ramsey Lake. Decreasing the operational capacity of the Sudbury Rail Yards and rerouting freight through Sprecher as outlined in Option B1 of the 1972 Rail Relocation Study and allows the development of a Bicycle Greenway connecting Sudbury's City center to the newly renovated Ramsey Lake hiking and biking trails and Nickel Centre.
By decommissioning and repurposing the passenger rail lines into pedestrian and bicycle friendly greenways in Phase 2 the project increases connection between New Sudbury and Gatchell neighborhoods and Sudbury's city center. Phase II initiates a series of wetland reclamation projects offering open spaces for communities. The new public spaces are connected via newly constructed pedestrian and bicycle greenways. A highway extension is developed to facilitate future northeastern development.
In phase 3, a linear and interconnected public park system spanning the New Sudbury and Copper Cliff neighborhoods is designed facilitating stream remediation and further strengthening community connection.
In phase 4, continued wetland restoration in the west results in a 'Blue Belt,' that will store and filter 100% of the runoff from the predominantly agricultural surroundings resulting in a healthier Ramsey Lake. A replenished and reforested 'Green Belt' in the east offers protected habitat for flora and fauna to flourish. Additional urban development with principles outlined before continues to the North East as Greater Sudbury continues to grow.
The regional strategy for Greater Sudbury informs the primary interventions in the City Center. A robust bicycle infrastructure connects the center to surrounding neighborhoods winding through ecological corridors and bike friendly streets. The city center is further reinvigorated offering communities new shopping, recreational, and gastronomical experiences. I propose a technology and innovation campus alongside highway 49 to bolster Sudbury's economy into the future. The campus is accessible with renewed road and bicycle infrastructure.
Central to my strategy for a renewed Sudbury City Center is Branchline Park. Branchline Park repurposes the rail yards into a public park focused on creating environmental remediation, community gathering spaces, and increased east-west connection. A phased strategy relocates the yard's operations to Sprecher as outlined in Phase 1 of the regional strategy. Branchline park is divided into two distinguishable portions; Branchline Park North and Branchline Park South.
Branchline Park North is transformed into a natural park setting emphasizing water storage, filtration, and conveyance through its networked wetland systems. This portion of Branchline is the first stop for all stormwater in Sudbury. The Copper Tower celebrates Sudbury's unique industrial heritage while offering visitors a grand view to Sudbury's beautiful surroundings. Great for bird watching enthusiasts and tourists it is the central attraction of Branchline Park North.
Filtered water from Branchline Park North moves southward into Branchline Park South. Here a phased strategy for soil remediation offers a constantly evolving outdoor experience throughout the year. Increasingly, as the soil is remediated, program is introduced making this portion of the park more active. Playgrounds, workout areas, table tennis, and an outdoor cinema with custom built and rail-fitted furniture facilitate community cohesion throughout the year.
Adjacent to Branchline Park South is the reimagined Elgin Street Promenade. The promenade offers vistas over Branchline Park South and sporting areas basketball, badminton, table tennis, and Bocce Ball. Sure to be a hit in the summer, I also propose a Rail Car Restaurant Corridor where people can gather for food, drinks, music, and relaxation. Rather than demolishing the Elgin Street Station, it can be repurposed into a farmers as outlined in the existing proposal. In all, I believe leveraging Sudbury's existing infrastructure for ecological restoration, community connection, and increasing access to the region's natural sites reinvigorates Sudbury's identity while celebrating its industrial heritage. The city center becomes an active part of an interconnected landscape of parks and trails ensuring a healthy environment and population.
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