Neighbourhood Greenway: Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle was developed as part of the Ridgeway Greenway. Residents around the Ridgeway at Windsor Street took a lead role in pursuing the development of a play area on a vacant City-owned lot. An initial meeting was held on the street corner in October 1996. This was the first time some of these neighbours had met. Issues were raised and ideas were discussed. Residents were encouraged to sketch and submit their ideas. One of these submissions included the crenellated sand box that became a central design feature and gave the name 'Windsor Castle'.
The final design included the ‘Windsor Castle’ sand box along with benches, a perimeter fence, gravel path and community sign which were installed by City crews in the spring of 1997. Residents organized donations of plants from private gardens around the neighbourhood and foraged plants from demolition sites in addition to plants provided by the City for a community planting day held in April 1997.
Since then, the residents have become the stewards Windsor Castle. Regular work parties are organized and an annual block party brings out hundreds of neighbours for an afternoon of food and games.
Windsor Castle Expansion Project
The Windsor Castle Neighbourhood Greenway is expanding! City Council approved the project in spring 2009 and since then, City staff have been working with the community to plan two additional vacant properties that continue along East 37th Avenue. Construction of the expansion was finalized in the fall of 2010 and a community planting event is planned for the spring of 2011.
View the final designs:
Windsor Castle final Design - Park Site 
Windsor Castle final Design - Sidewalk Site
Thanks to all the community members whose ideas and inspiration helped create these plans!
