Bruce Museum and planners discuss Steamboat Road improvements; commission supports widened sidewalk to link to Greenwich Avenue

Representatives of the Bruce Museum presented a revised concept April 8 to improve the Steamboat Road approach to Bruce Park, proposing to widen the existing sidewalk, lower portions of an existing stone retaining wall and add street trees, period‑style lighting and sculpture pads in a meadow planting. The museum said the work is intended to strengthen the visual and pedestrian connection between the train/Steamboat Road and Greenwich Avenue.

Rebecca Gillan, the museum’s interim executive director, said the updated plan emphasizes native plantings, removal of invasive species and improved sightlines while minimizing steep‑slope disturbance. Landscape architect Eric Raines walked commissioners through alternatives: an earlier concept that climbed up the steep slope would have required substantial tree removal and rock excavation; the preferred plan instead widens the sidewalk at the base of the slope, locates street trees and light poles in planting pits, and reduces disturbance to the slope and a large retaining wall.

Commissioners and staff said they favor the sidewalk‑widening approach, requested that the museum coordinate the final planting palette with the tree warden and the architectural review committee, and asked that Parks & Recreation and DPW be engaged early because ongoing maintenance and snow removal responsibilities differ between the museum and town departments. The museum confirmed that day‑to‑day meadow care and snow removal are provided under the existing management agreement but said plantings requiring more intensive maintenance would be the museum’s responsibility.

The commission directed staff to treat the concept as a site‑plan modification that will return for formal review and recommended the museum coordinate with the tree warden, ARC and Parks & Recreation; commissioners asked the museum to record any license or formal agreement on the land records if an outside party’s rights are involved.