Spencer Smith Park cherry tree pathway work is under way; 18 new trees are due in spring 2027

What is happening now

The City of Burlington's project page, updated in late September, says construction of a new pathway in Spencer Smith Park was expected to begin on Monday, September 28 and be finished by the end of the fall. Site preparation, including the removal of selected invasive or declining trees such as Tree of Heaven, mulberry and Norway maple, was to begin October 7 after a bird nest assessment confirmed there were no active nests. The City says the cherry trees themselves will remain.

The park stays open during the work. Only the areas under construction are fenced off, and the City asks visitors to stay clear of them.

Why the trees are being replaced

According to the City, the cherry trees are nearing the end of their natural lifespan. Ornamental cherry trees typically live about 20 to 25 years, and forestry staff have used pruning and the removal of overcrowded trees to extend their life. Some trees were already removed in 2024 for safety reasons. The original trees and the limestone walkway were donated in 1997 as a gift linked to Burlington's twinning with Itabashi, Japan, which dates to May 1989.

Rather than replacing all the trees at once, the City is planting new cherry trees first so they have time to grow and bloom before the older trees come out. Staff say there is limited room for broad public engagement because of underground utilities and other protected trees in the area, so consultation is targeted at utilities and major event organizers.

The details

The City's July 9 announcement described the new path as a four-metre-wide concrete extension of the existing pathway, with 18 new cherry trees to be planted along it in spring 2027, timed to protect tree health and avoid disrupting summer events. Work was held until after Ribfest so that no summer events were affected. The City says it is exploring ways to commemorate the removed trees, but that wood from recent removals of similar trees has not been suitable for woodworking because of cracks and decay.