Preparations for Bright Lights Windsor are about to get underway at Jackson Park and it could cause some disruptions.
The parking lot near Tecumseh Rd. E. and Windsor Ave. will close periodically starting Monday and will continue until at least Nov. 12. Jan Wilson tells AM800 News a few lessons were learned during last year's set up.
"People were trying to get into the parking lot last year and then had to back their way out onto Tecumseh Rd. E., so we're trying to let people know that we're doing some work there next week and to be prepared," says Wilson, Windsor's Corporate Leader, Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities.
A large portion of the parking lot will be used to store parts and equipment and the centre of the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens will also be off limits to build the massive tree in the centre of the festival.
"Weather permitting you'll see some trucks and cranes making their way into that lot," says Wilson. "They'll be loading and offloading the equipment and you'll see it's mostly the metal structure."
Access to the outer portion of the gardens will remain open for the next couple weeks, but will eventually be taken over by attractions.
The garden is a hot-spot for wedding and prom photos and residents out for a stroll, so Wilson says,"We'll try to keep the paths, especially around the exterior, open as long as possible."
Last year's budget was cut from $3-million to around $1.5-million due to public outcry after flooding in August, but the event attracted thousands of visitors and was extended well into the New Year.
Wilson says," We have some exciting new displays for this year but those are going to be kept under wraps for now."