NNNow News Blog

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

South Stanley Revitalization Project City Website

Full text from the URL http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/south_stanley_park.htm below:

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South Stanley Park Redevelopment Project



South Stanley Park, located at 845 King St. W. (between Walnut Ave. and Stanley Terrace) is undergoing improvements by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Construction is expected to occur in phases, beginning in spring 2010. The park currently has a baseball diamond, outdoor pool, tennis courts, sports field, community centre (Niagara C.C.) and dog park.

On March 30, 2009, the City conducted a visioning exercise for park improvements with local residents. The resulting conceptual design was presented at a public meeting on September 2, 2009.

The conceptual design includes the following proposed park improvements:
- Enclosed dog off-leash area
- Improved entrances to the park through landscaping
- New south-east entry plaza
- New walkways to improve circulation throughout the park
- Replacement of existing tennis courts
- New building addition to existing outdoor pool building (replacement of existing community centre)
- Tree planting to replace old and deceased trees

Specific elements such as additional lighting and seating will be considered at the detailed design stage

Documents for download:
Current aerial view of South Stanley Park (PDF)
Visioning exercise report (PDF)
Conceptual design for the future South Stanley Park (PDF)

For more information, please contact:
Barbara Carou
Parks Planner
416-392-8157
bcarou@toronto.ca

Joe Pantalone
Deputy Mayor
Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4108
councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca
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Monday, September 21, 2009

Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Update


Click image to enlarge
(Full Document [PDF])
In August 2008, the City of Toronto commissioned an Environmental Assessment Study to confirm the need and justification for a potential pedestrian and cycle bridge, connecting the west end of Fort York to areas north of the existing railway tracks, between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street.

The Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Study is integral to the City of Toronto's broader plan to revitalize the waterfront, through a vision that will reflect the diversity of Toronto's past, present and future. Historic Fort York, and the lands around the Garrison Creek corridor represent cultural features in the urban landscape that have direct relevance to the pedestrian-cycle bridge study.

Two (2) Public Information Centre (PIC) Meetings are intended to present details of the project and to receive public feedback on the direction, alternative designs and recommendations of the study_ An initial PIC was held on April 16, 2009, which provided an overview of the many
background reports that preceded the current study, while also presenting a summary of various recent investigations that are pertinent to the Environmental Assessment process.

Much work has been completed since the first PIC, with the focus of the Project Team being directed at determining a preferred design concept for the bridge. In selecting a preferred design, the team has had to account for many technical, environmental and social factors as part of the evaluation process.

Based on a comprehensive assessment of the alternatives as well as consideration of public and agency feedback, it is the recommendation of the Study Team:

• that an inclined arch bridge, following an alignment that evokes the original Garrison Creek corridor (Alternative 4 “S” Design), be presented as the preferred design concept for the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge;

• that the proposed pedestrian-cycle bridge include design features that will promote open space/heritage link between an extended Stanley Park to the north and various park amenities to the south, including Fort York and its proposed Visitor Centre, Garrison Common, Gore Park, June Callwood Park, Coronation Park and the Martin Goodman Trail;

• that Archaeological and Heritage Built Cultural features, which are prominent in the area, be further assessed in conjunction with the detailed design and construction; and,

• that the final design elements of the bridge fully recognize its future significance in the Toronto "landscape", by enhancing visual vistas to the Toronto Skyline and Fort York while complementing the context of Fort York's Heritage Conservation District and its designation as a National Historic Site.

Following completion of the Environmental Assessment, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study Team, (including the results of the public consultation process) will be documented in an Environmental Study Report (ESR) which is scheduled for completion in 2009. The final ESR will be placed on the "public record" for a review period
of 30 days.

If any member of the public has outstanding concerns with the final ESR, which cannot be resolved in discussions with the proponent (City of Toronto), then a formal request may be made to the Minister of the Environment to consider an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II Order).

Upon the successful conclusion of this Environmental Assessment, it is the City's desire to move forward with detailed engineering and construction in 2010/2011. The ultimate goal of the City of Toronto is to open the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge in time for the Bicentennial Celebrations of the War of 1812, planned for Spring 2012.

For further information regarding this project initiative, please contact:
City of Toronto
Waterfront Secretariat
Mr. Stephen McKenna, Project Manager
City Hall, 12th floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2
smckenna@toronto.ca
416-397-4082

Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Mr., Garry Leveck, P.Eng. Project Manager
49 Frederick Street
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6M7
garry.leveck@stantec.com
519-585-7316

South Stanley Revitalization Project Outline and Proposal

South Stanley Park is about to undergo a reno!

For the last year, a group of community members have been meeting with Joe Pantalone, Toronto Parks reps, and city planning to review options for upgrading our neighbourhood park. This group worked from a set of guiding principles that included use of all space within the park and making sure that all current park users would win with any changes - or at very least, that they wouldn't lose out.

Several months ago, we held a Charette and invited community members to imagine what they would like to see in the park.

Based on community suggestions from the Charette, the city presented a proposal for the redesign of South Stanley Park two weeks ago. There were several key changes in the proposed design, including:

1) Upgraded entry points to make the park move visible and more integrated with the community
2) An enclosed offleash dog area - for dog safety and so that dog owners can use the park while baseball / other sports happen
3) Proposed new locations for tennis courts
4) Expansion of the current swimming pool building to house offices and community space
5) Moving the north and south fences to better use the space within the park
6) Upgraded paths and walkways through the park

A PDF of the park improvement proposal can be found here. The city will be launching a webpage highlighting these proposed changes shortly - we'll post as soon as it's up and running!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bathurst Crosswalk - Progress

An update from Joe Pantalone’s office regarding the Pedestrian Crossing on Bathurst:


Earlier in the year we reported that there was a proposal for the walkway which was approved, but a time-line had not been established. The pedestrian walkway went to the Bid Committee on Sept. 10th – where it would be determined who would complete the contracted work.

Once the contract is awarded it should take up to three months to complete the work. The walkway should be in place before the end of the year.

Fort York Pedestrian Bridge Environmental Assessment Meeting

The Fort York Pedestrian Bridge planning continues: there is a meeting regarding this development that the public has been invited to attend.

Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Wellington on the Park, 15 Stafford Street (at Wellington Street West)

The meeting is an open house with a short presentation at 7pm.

For more info, please contact:
City of Toronto Waterfront Secretariat - Stephen Mckenna, Project Manager
smckenna@toronto.ca