Reimagining Henderson Highway

Elmwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2024 (387 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At the foot of the Disraeli bridge, the beginning of Henderson Highway serves as a true introduction to Elmwood. With the Welcome to Elmwood sign and a cluster of low-rise commercial and historic buildings, people get the sense of a distinct part of the city with its own well-defined sense of community.

Bordered by the Elmwood neighbourhoods of Glenelm to the west and Chalmers to the east, Henderson Highway has the potential to be a vital local hub. Indeed, it boasts many amazing restaurants and other businesses, including JC Tacos and More, The Elm Pizzeria and Cafe, and Crescive Glory Foods, among others. It was also home to many iconic businesses in years past, such as Sam’s Place and Roxy Lanes.

Henderson Highway could be a major-neighbourhood, mixed-use street and destination analogous to eastern Corydon Avenue. The challenge, however, is its high-speed traffic and use as a thoroughfare.

Six lanes of high-speed traffic make for a very intense and unpleasant environment for people casually walking by and dissuades lingering around to check out local businesses. This also makes use of space which could contribute to a vibrant streetscape, such as patios, less feasible.

There are steep challenges to balancing Henderson Highway’s dual identities as a neighbourhood street and thoroughfare. But there are promising signs that south Henderson Highway can become an even stronger community hub.

Happy Days on Henderson has been held ever summer for two decades. It attracts many people to the south Henderson area for fun and draws attention to local businesses, while featuring activities enjoyable family activities as well as live music and entertainment, photo booths, face painting, and community tables. The continuous passion for the neighbourhood event showst here is sustained interest for enjoyable public activities and opportunities to meet neighbours around south Henderson.

Through extensive community consultations, the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation found there was demand for improving the ways people get around in Elmwood, particularly on foot, bike, can, wheelchair, or with a stroller. This led to the formation of the Reimagine Elmwood Coalition.

The coalition has tried making some time-limited changes to Henderson, including marbles in the median that induce drivers to slow down due to the psychological effect of “edge friction.” It has plans for another trial of changes to Henderson Highway in 2025, which will hopefully bring some more vibrancy to the new neighbourhood street.