Two brand-new design concepts for a public space in downtown Wheatley were unveiled during the Wheatley Waves Forward community celebration. The concepts reimagine the remediated site of the August 2021 explosion, transforming it into a vibrant, accessible and inclusive gathering place in the heart of the community.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent purchased properties affected by the 2021 explosion and launched a design process aimed at transforming nearly half of Wheatley’s downtown core into a welcoming and resilient public space. The initiative has been developed in partnership with the Wheatley Task Force, residents, and local businesses.
The results of this process led to the creation of two design options, which were unveiled to the public on Saturday.
“We hired Fotenn Planning + Design to develop two concepts that show residents different ways that the park area could potentially be built out,” said Kyra Knapp, Economic Development Officer for Wheatley and the Project Manager. “Pictures are worth a thousand words and are easier to react to than words on paper, so we put a lot of effort in creating visuals to represent the design options. We want people to tell us what they like and don’t like about each concept so we can incorporate this feedback into the final park plan,” she added.
“The Wheatley Task Force is excited to share these conceptual plans with the community and hear feedback,” added Howard Gabert, Task Force Chair. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a space that brings people together and honors Wheatley’s unique story.”
Both designs reflect key community values, with a focus on safety, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. The concepts aim to minimize long-term maintenance costs by carefully selecting materials and plantings, while incorporating environmentally friendly features such as improved stormwater management and enhanced tree cover. Each design also celebrates Wheatley’s distinct identity using locally inspired elements, ensuring the space feels meaningful and connected to the community.
The design project is fully funded through a $1 million provincial grant that covers the design costs and a portion of future park construction. Additional funding opportunities are actively being explored.
Residents, businesses, and community stakeholders are invited to review the full designs and provide feedback by visiting www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates. Feedback will be accepted until 11:59pm on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Once the feedback period closes, the project team will refine the plans based on community input and ongoing site investigations, which will determine whether a permanent structure is required to ensure public safety around the decommissioned wells onsite. A finalized design will be shared with the community before construction begins.
