Arran-Elderslie is highlighting a new parkette.
The municipality says in a social media update, “Chesley’s Pocket Park is transforming an unused and once-abused triangle of land in the heart of downtown into a vibrant hub for community gathering.”
As part of the 2026 improvements, market lights add a warm, welcoming glow to the space—creating a cozy atmosphere where people can pause, connect, and enjoy our downtown.
The municipality says, “Thank you to Spruce the Bruce for supporting this downtown project and to the Chesley Community Working Group for their vision in bringing this space to life.”
Spruce the Bruce is a Bruce County grant program that provides funding for signage, facade improvements, marketing, patios, awnings, streetscapes and other improvements.
The Chesley Community Working Group is one of three working groups in Arran-Elderslie (there are Paisley and Tara groups as well). The aim is to revitalize the village downtowns.
Those groups are made up of community members, business or storefront property owners, and members of local service groups. They develop ideas, raise issues and concerns, and recommend solutions to support economic development and revitalization in each downtown.
Some of their activities include things like beautification projects like murals, waste receptacles and benches, and implementing a vacant commercial space marketing package. The group can also consult on the development of business attraction and retention strategies.