The Town of Huntsville is a vibrant community that has been loved by both year round residents and seasonal cottagers for many decades. In recent years, downtown Huntsville has become a regional destination for tourists looking to enjoy the many shops along Main Street. To enhance the visitor experience, the District of Muskoka and the Town of Huntsville worked together to provide “Muskoka inspired” streetscape enhancements, including new accessible sidewalks and crosswalks, improved road illumination and treed parkette rest areas along Main Street.
Pedestrian walkways and rest areas connecting side street parking areas with the downtown businesses were provided for the convenience of visitors downtown. Improvements also included rehabilitation of the Muskoka River Bridge to enhance use by pedestrians and vehicles as well as improved illumination to increase night use of these areas while improving pedestrian safety. These enhancements raised the bar on downtown Huntsville’s reputation as a pedestrian friendly commercial district.
The existing underground infrastructure was upgraded in tandem to the pedestrian enhancements. These updates ensured critical services including water, sanitary and storm sewers would support the Main Street businesses for another 60 years. The project required the provision of safe and effective pedestrian access to storefronts to mitigate impacts to the Main Street businesses while work was progressing. Successfully addressed, the team was able to complete the project to the Town’s standards and the area was given the name of “Diggin Downtown.” At conclusion of the project, it was awarded as the Ontario Public Works Association’s “Transportation Project of the Year.”
Services
Civil, Landscape Architecture + Urban Design, Roadway Design, Water Services, Construction Services, Public Involvement