Lanark County Council received a progress update on 2025 activities related to the Community Plan for Safety and Well-being for Lanark County and Smiths Falls (2025-2029), which was adopted by all local municipalities last year.

Lanark County OPP Detachment Board Support Coordinator ...Stephanie Gray outlined progress made in the four theme areas of the plan: affordability and quality of life, health, violence against persons, and priority populations and diversity.

“Affordability and quality of life is the biggest theme area in the plan,” Gray said. Examples of progress in this area include child care space expansion, grant funding to support activities leading to housing stability for clients, completion of the transit feasibility study, numerous activities in local climate action plans, the launch of the Natural Heritage System workplan, and efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion in communities.

Progress in the health theme was seen with efforts to divert calls from hospital, the creation of the new Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT) mobile initiative, grant funding for education and wellness fairs, and the expansion of the HART Hub in Smiths Falls.

Violence against persons progress examples included the Coaching Boys Into Men prevention program; grant support for the Victim Advocate program, training and education in intimate partner violence/healthy relationships; anti-hate crime training for officers and the Safe and Inclusive Schools Officer Visits and Books program.

In the priority populations and diversity area, progress was made through youth conferences; increasing efforts to support Indigenous peoples and support Calls to Action; 2SLGBTQIA+ training for hospice volunteers and increasing opportunities related to support groups; and activities by Lanark and Renfrew Immigration Settlement Services to support newcomers.

The full progress update can be found at https://lanarkcounty.civicweb.net/document/183932/.

Five-Arches Bridge Rehabilitation Update and Temporary Park Closure (Sept. 2)

Lanark County Public Works reports the cap stones are now approximately 90% installed, and installation of the electrical conduits has begun. The northeast abutment has also been excavated to allow for ...construction of the new retaining wall. During excavation, crews uncovered what appears to be an old corduroy road, which may have served as the original approach to the original wooden bridge which was constructed in 1886.

Work on the bridge approaches, including grading and drainage improvements, will continue as scheduled. The temporary park closure remains planned for Wednesday, Sept. 2, to facilitate installation of electrical conduit beneath the park entrance. Advance notice and digital signage will continue to be used to inform the public of the closure.

Thank you for your patience!

This week marks "back to school" for many students in our area! Buses are back on the road and lots of students will be travelling on foot. Please watch for increased traffic and pedestrians. Be observant for flashing lights and safety arms on school buses. Stay safe, everyone, and have a... great first week of school!