City seeks resident input at Central Park Bandshell
Burlington is asking residents to weigh in on a wide range of municipal projects and initiatives at the city’s sixth annual Food for Feedback community engagement event Saturday, Sept. 12. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Central Park Bandshell, 2299 New St., and will feature 20 project booths, a Kidz Zone and free lunch from a food truck while supplies last.
The event is designed to give residents direct access to city staff so they can ask questions and provide feedback on projects that will inform council decision-making. Attendees will be able to discuss topics ranging from Burlington Transit and transportation planning to environmental sustainability and the city’s approach to community development.
What residents can expect
- Opportunities to speak one-on-one with city staff and project leads
- Feedback on transportation matters, including traffic operations, signals and transit
- Information and input on the 2027 municipal budget and the 2027 Official Plan review
- Engagement on environmental planning such as the Urban Stormwater Master Plan
- Details about community programs and city advisory committees, plus a Kidz Zone for families
Organizers say the format is intended to make it easy for residents to participate without lengthy formal meetings. Feedback collected at the event will be reported back to council; participating projects will present how community input was considered and incorporated into planning and decisions.
Topics on the table
City materials list a broad slate of subjects that will be represented at booths. Among them are:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Transit, traffic operations, signals, transportation planning |
| Planning & Development | 2027 Official Plan review, Plains Road and Aldershot Corners Streetscape Study, employment area planning |
| Community & Services | Recreation programming, volunteering, cemetery services, Sherwood Park project |
| Governance & Advisory | City communications, advisory committees, Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Mayor |
“Meaningful resident engagement leads to better decisions and stronger community outcomes,”
said Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement and Partnerships Lisa Kearns. “By sharing ideas, experiences, and priorities, residents play an important role in shaping Burlington’s future.”
The event will also provide vegetarian and halal lunch options, and planners say the Kidz Zone will help parents and caregivers participate while their children take part in activities. The city notes that feedback will help inform reports to council and guide how projects proceed.
Why this matters locally
Municipal engagement events such as Food for Feedback allow residents to raise neighbourhood-level concerns — from traffic signal timing to recreation program priorities — while also engaging on longer-term strategic work like the Official Plan and budget planning. For Burlington, which faces growth pressures along key corridors and debates around employment lands, stormwater management and transit service levels, public input will affect both near-term project details and how the city frames longer-term planning choices.
Residents planning to attend should come prepared to speak to specific projects of interest. City staff will be on hand to record feedback, which will be summarized and used to inform council reports and subsequent public processes.
