Nelson’s Wednesday Farmers Market will be moved to Cottonwood Falls Park for this year.
The Wednesday market is usually held on Baker Street throughout the summer and was slated to resume for the season on June 4.
However, a press release from the City says several major construction projects creating congestion and parking challenges downtown have forced the market to relocate for the season.
“The move will give the City, vendors, and market participants a chance to experience the market in a new location that was designed to accommodate events,” said the City in a statement.
Several factors influenced the decision to move to Cottonwood Falls Park for 2025, including:
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Ongoing construction on Baker Street, Vernon Street, and Victoria Street,
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Parking considerations,
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Traffic flow issues along Baker Street, including a close call with a vehicle during last year’s market season,
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Impact on transit routes,
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Accessibility,
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The opportunity to host more vendors from our lengthy waitlist at Cottonwood Falls Park than can be accommodated on Baker Street,
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The success of the Saturday markets at Cottonwood Falls Park, and
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Upgrades made at Cottonwood Falls Park last year that make the location ideal for hosting markets, including a new bridge, sidewalks, an improved parking area, and enhanced green space. These upgrades ensure a functional and vibrant venue for the Nelson Farmers Market.
The decision was also influenced by a survey of Nelson Farmers Market vendors completed in March, which indicated that vendors would like access to amenities that are limited on Baker Street, such as:
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Free parking for vendors and customers,
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Potable water,
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Washrooms on site, and
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Access to electrical plug-ins.
The City will run a communications campaign around the location change, which will include public signs, posters, radio ads, and social media posts.
“The City would like to apologise for the short notice about the Wednesday market location change. We have been exploring all options to ensure a positive Wednesday market experience in 2025. Losing our market coordinator during this critical time led to a delay in finding a solution for this season.”
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