Mississauga on a mission to dramatically expand downtown area parks

Mississauga is embarking on a plan to dramatically increase the size and connectivity of parks in the Cooksville area in an effort to make sure a fast-growing City Centre population has access to adequate green spaces down the road.

City of Mississauga officials say it has become clear “…that Mississauga’s existing downtown parks will not be able to support the growing population over the next 20 years.”

As such, the City has invested in significantly expanding park space in the Cooksville neighbourhood “to provide better access to green spaces and address the parkland deficit.”

City officials say 20 acres of newly acquired properties will be added to Cooksville Park and Iggy Kaneff Park (formerly Camilla Park) to create larger, more connected parkland in the Cooksville area.

Cooksville is located just minutes south on Hurontario St. from the downtown core.

The initiative, officials say, will change the face of Mississauga’s urban downtown landscape.

“Parks are important. They promote physical activity, mental well-being, provide leisure and recreational spaces and help with climate change,” City officials say. “Parks also provide a safe place for communities to connect, enjoy the outdoors and be active.”

As the City moves forward with its plan, it’s seeking input from the public over the next month or so.

Through June 30, residents are asked to share their feedback via online survey on park amenities and features for both Cooksville and Iggy Kaneff parks.

The feedback collected, along with feedback gathered through previous studies and further technical studies, will inform the preliminary park amenities and park designs, the City says.

“We’re hoping many of the residents who call Cooksville home will participate in providing their feedback,” a City spokesperson said in a news release.

In addition to the online survey, City parks planning staff will be at Cooksville Park on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to speak to residents and answer any questions.

Cooksville Park is located in the area south of Dundas St. E. and just east of Hurontario St.

Iggy Kaneff Park is located just to the south of Cooksville Park, south of The Queensway E.

It officially took on its new name earlier this spring after being known as Camilla Park since it opened in 1963.

The new name pays homage to a prominent businessman, developer and philanthropist often credited with being one of the “builders of Mississauga.”