Devon Municipal Update - Aug 5, 2026

DEVON -- Devon Mayor Jeff Craddock recently joined 93.1 The One to provide an update on the latest happenings in the Town of Devon. 

Library Lease Agreement and Fire Services Agreement Extended:

The Town of Devon approved a five-year lease extension for the Devon Public Library through June 2031. The agreement features a 24-month exit clause to give the town flexibility for future facility planning while community survey results help guide long-term space decisions. In addition, the municipality also renewed its Fire Services Agreement with Parkland County, extending their regional partnership through December 31, 2028.

"The agreements ensure continuity while maintaining flexibility for our future," said Mayor Craddock. "We've been working on the library and fire department for a couple of years now; we do have a lot of partnerships that are incredibly strong with our surrounding community. With the fire department, because we're so close in our training, we fight fires together, we have a Parkland engine in our bay, it's nice to have that continuity again for that training, for the fire services, and even for the financial in terms of how we support each other." 

Policing Pilot Project:

An enhanced policing model has been implemented in Devon following the completion of a multi-jurisdictional pilot project. 

The pilot was launched in October 2025 in partnership with the Parkland RCMP detachment with the goal of enhancing services, strengthening community trust, and improving efficiency. The new model includes the integration of resources with the Parkland detachment to ensure a stable level of service while putting together a regional approach to improving police services in the Town of Devon. 

"We have a lot better coverage than we used to," said Mayor Craddock. "We have a lot better access to higher-level services; we have a lot of things that are proving to be a support for our community." 

Part of the pilot program saw the Devon RCMP advance various community safety and wellness initiatives.

Council Approves Naming of "Karen's Pond"

The Town of Devon recently approved a request to name a local pond after a recently passed environmental advocate.

Karen Macaulay passed away in February after spending years advancing initiatives to protect the local environment. She was the original founder of the Devon Nature Club, which continues its work in advocating for the preservation of Devon's natural assets and green spaces. Following the recent decision, the stormwater pond, located in the Devonian Business Park, will henceforth be named "Karen's Pond".

"This was an individual who laid out the Parks Bylaw, how we protect our banks, how we set up better for our bike trails," said Mayor Craddock. "How do you respect that legacy if you don't go off the beaten path a little bit and honour her with a pond as requested by her family."

Macaulay first arrived in Devon with her husband Allan in 2008 and began her environmental advocacy efforts shortly after. Some of her most notable accomplishments included establishing Bob McDonald Nature Park, preserving local trails, and pushing forward the River Valley Master Plan.

Year-Two of Paid Parking Pilot at Voyageur Park:

A pilot project that was introduced last summer to implement paid parking at Voyageur Park is now into its 2nd year.

The pilot was initially introduced for the summer of 2025 and has continued into its second year in 2026. The original goal was to limit traffic congestion near at the park, which was driven by an increase in out-of-town visitors. From June 1 to Sept. 30, paid parking is in effect from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, while Devon residents can avoid any costs by registering their license plates online. At this time, Mayor Craddock expects that paid parking on weekends will continue following the completion of this year's pilot. 

"If it does move ahead -- we won't know until this fall to see how this one rolled out because we've had such a wet year -- we will reevaluate and figure out whether we're going to go ahead," said Mayor Craddock. "I don't see a time when there wouldn't be any charge for parking, especially on weekends."