Community Projects

The Municipality of Brockton acquired the vacant property at 312 Durham Street East in Walkerton, then known as the Durham Street Park, in early 2020. It's located between Walker's Landing Restaurant and EXP Realty on the north side of Durham Street.

The Municipality then began planning to develop the park into a downtown greenspace and gathering area. In the summer of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the park was opened to the public as a space for outdoor dining. It has also been used for the Walkerton Hometown Christmas Market for the past three years. 

The Durham Street Park Development Committee

In February 2021, the Durham Street Park Development Committee was established to provide support and input into all aspects of the planning, design, layout and use of park, which was renamed The Market Garden. The Committee held regular meetings, minutes of which can be viewed by searching our Council and Committee Calendar. It was discontinued in 2023 after plans for the park were finalized. 

Development of The Market Garden

The Municipality is currently undergoing development of The Market Garden on Durham Street in Walkerton, with construction set to begin in early April, 2023. 

In June 2022, the Municipality of Brockton advertised the tender for construction of the Market Garden, which closed on July 4, 2022. CSL Group was the winning bidder. See more information at Report Number REC2022-16 - Tender Results for Construction of the Market Garden Park. 

That same month, the Municipality of Brockton issued a Media Release announcing that the Market Garden Park project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator program, run by the Canadian Urban Institute, and has received $54,000 to assist in the park’s development as a community hub in downtown Walkerton. 

On August 24, 2021, Council passed By-Law 2021-111 entering into a contribution agreement with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario in order to participate in the Canada Community Revitalization Fund to support the development of the Market Garden. View Report Number REC2021-20 - Canada Community Revitalization Fund Contribution Agreement for The Market Garden for more information. The agreement was amended on January 11, 2022 by By-Law 2022-003. View Report Number REC2022-01 - Canada Community Revitalization Fund Amended Agreement for The Market Garden for more information.

On July 13, 2021 Council passed a resolution approving Report Number REC2021-17 – Durham Street Parkland – The Market Garden and further approving to proceed with tendering for the concept plan for the park, as well as launching a fundraising campaign.

The Market Garden will be a community gathering space that all members of the community can enjoy, and it will support  area businesses with event space and a place for customers to relax while shopping or exploring Walkerton. The current Concept Plan showcases luscious green space, sitting areas, a stage and fountain, tables and chairs, and the opportunity for events year round! 

The Municipality of Brockton continues to raise funds for The Market Garden. As of March 2023, close to $200,000 has been raised through corporate, individual and group donations, and also provincial and federal grants. 

We are thankful to all contributors -- every dollar makes a difference!

Current donors include:

• Champions:
  • The Wong Family
  • Bruce Power
  • Canada Community Revitalization Fund
  • My Main Street

• Patrons:
  • Nuclear Waste Management Organization
  • Walkerton Kinette Club
• Benefactors:
  • Larsen and Shaw
  • Gail Voisin
• Providers:
  • Amazing Assets

Help us reach our fundraising goal, make a donation, add your name to the list!

For more information contact Paulette Peirol, Community Development Coordinator by email, or call 519-881-2223 Ext. 131.

Please consider donating to help us fundraise for this community project! Tax receipts can be issued for the donations, and your company or family name may be included on our Community Contributions Plaque at the park. Cheques are to be payable to The Municipality of Brockton.

View the Fundraising Package for more information about this project and how you can help our fundraising efforts.

If you are interested in contributing to the Market Garden project, please view The Market Garden Fundraising Package.  Please note that donations or funding commitments received after May 29, 2023 may not be eligible for inclusion on the Market Garden Donor Plaque, pictured above. 

For more information about the types of donations view The Market Garden Donation Form. 

If you would like your company or family name displayed on the donor wall at the Market Garden, please let us know.

Donations can also be made in installments; please get in touch and we'd be happy to discuss options.

Project construction is expected to start the first week of April, 2023, and be completed by early July. The work is being undertaken by CSL Group, with local contractors also assisting. The area will be fenced off during construction, and parking at the back of the lot is prohibited. Please subscribe to this page below, if you'd like to keep abreast of our progress! 

More information is contained in our March 28, 2023 Media Release.