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Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: ENG 11-19
Date: December 2, 2019
From: Richard Holborn
Director, Engineering Services
Subject: Balsdon Park Master Plan
- File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1. That Balsdon Park Master Plan be endorsed by Council;
2. That staff be directed to prepare the detailed designs required for the implementation of the
Balsdon Park Master Plan;
3. That staff be directed to include the implementation of the Balsdon Park Master Plan in the
2021 to 2024 Capital Forecast, and request funds for construction in a future year through
the annual budget process; and
4. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: Balsdon Park, originally constructed in the early 1960's is currently
being underutilized and does not properly service the neighbourhood. The existing baseball
diamond is no longer programmed and the play structures that were vandalized due to their lack
of visibility from the street many years ago were removed.
The Balsdon Park Master Plan being presented in this report reflects the current needs and wants
of the neighbourhood residents, based on the comments received through a public consultation
process between November 2017 and June 2018. The features of the proposed master plan
include a lit pathway system, a shade structure and new children's play area that will be visible
from the park entrance, a leash -free area for dogs and general open space for informal play.
Financial Implications: Funds for the preparation of a Master Plan for Balsdon Park was
approved in the City's 2017 Parks Capital Budget. The cost to implement the proposed master
plan has been estimated at approximately $440,000.00. The City is anticipating receipt of
$40,000.00 from the developer of 715 Liverpool Road pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act
for density bonusing. These funds can be applied to the implementation of the master plan. Staff
will request funds for construction to implement the Balsdon Park Master Plan through the annual
budget process.
ENG 11-19 December 2, 2019
Subject: Balsdon Park Master Plan Page 2
Discussion: Balsdon Park, located on the north east side of Liverpool Road and
Krosno Boulevard and in the Bay Ridges Neighbourhood, was constructed in the early 1960's.
The park, although accessible by two entrances on Krosno Boulevard and one on Naroch
Boulevard, is practically "land locked", bounded by blocks of townhomes on the Krosno Boulevard
frontage and single family homes on the Naroch Boulevard and Helen Crescent frontages. As
such, most of the park is not visible from the street.
The park currently has a ball diamond that is no longer programmed, generally due to the lack of
parking available. A single steel swing set is the extent of children's play equipment as the
previous play structures were vandalized by fire in 2003. A decision was made at the time (in
consultation with area residents) not to replace the play equipment since the existing playground
location was not visible from the street.
City staff initiated the public consultation process through an on-line survey with over 700
residents within the Bay Ridges area being notified of the questionnaire through a postal walk.
Notification was also posted on the City's Facebook page and website. The online survey was
accessed 261 times with 117 people completing the survey and submitting comments between
November 20 and December 12, 2017. Information requested from the responders included their
proximity to the park, their household demographics and current use of the park, what existing
features in the park they liked or disliked, and what features that they would like to see included in
the park master plan. Some of the highlights from the survey results are:
• 48 percent of the respondents live within a 5 minute walk of the park
• 65 percent of the respondents currently use the park with 63 percent of them visiting 1-9 times
per month and 13 percent of them using the park daily
• Dog walking and short -cutting through the park were the most common current uses
• Removal of the existing ball diamond due to its underutilization was the most common
comment with regards to existing park features
• The most common requests for park features were a leash -free area for dogs (40 respondents)
and an improved children's playground (39)
• Other requested features include walking paths (8), outdoor skating (8), basketball court (6),
more seating (6), community gardens (6), better lighting (5), gazebo/shade (4), and more trees
(3)
• 71 of the respondents provided contacts in order to obtain updates
Comments received were reviewed with Public Works and Animal Services staff, in particular the
request for a leash free area in the park plan. With the overwhelming response from the
surrounding residents for a leash free area and the existing significant use of the park by dog
walkers, staff felt that a leash free area would be a viable use for this park. A concept master plan
was prepared that included a leash free area, a children's playground area relocated in line with
the Naroch Boulevard entrance, for better visibility a lit pathway system with an optional looped
portion along the south park limits, a shade structure overlooking the playground and leash free
ENG 11-19 December 2, 2019
Subject: Balsdon Park Master Plan Page 3
area, and a large open space for informal play. Additional trees and benches were also included
along the pathway system.
The concept master plan was presented at a Public Open House on May 8, 2018. The event was
held at the East Shore Community Centre with approximately 50 people in attendance. The
Supervisor, Animal Services was in attendance to assist Engineering Services staff with
discussions surrounding the proposed leash free area, which was the main topic of discussion at
the open house. Following the Public Open House, the concept master plan and comment sheet
were posted on the City website and comments were accepted until June 1, 2018.
There were 19 written comments received with 15 respondents providing comments on the
proposed leash -free area. Out of the 15 comments, 11 were in support and 4 were opposed.
Those opposing were concerned about the noise of barking dogs, lack of parking for park users
and garbage. With regards to the concerns about parking, the proposed leash -free area would not
be advertised as a City-wide facility, rather a local neighbourhood facility that would not
necessitate the need for additional parking. As the residents opposing the leash free area all
reside on Naroch Boulevard, it was also decided to modify the master plan by switching the
location of the leash free area and open space play area, moving the leash free area away from
the Naroch Boulevard side of the park. The revised plan is presented in this report for
endorsement.
Based on the concept drawings prepared for the park reconstruction, staff estimate the
construction costs to be in the range of $440,000. The City may receive $40,000 from the
developer of 715 Liverpool Road, to be used as a community benefit in return for their proposed
increased density pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act. These funds would be used towards
the upgrades to Balsdon Park, to off -set some of the City's costs.
Attachments:
1. Location Plan
2. Balsdon Park Master Plan — Existing Site Photos
3. Balsdon Park Master Plan — Context Site Plan
5. Balsdon Park Master Plan — Concept Site Plan
ENG 11-19
December 2, 2019
Subject: Balsdon Park Master Plan Page 4
Prepared By:
Arnold Mostert, G.A.L.A.
Sr. Coordinator, Landscape &
Parks Development
AM:mjh
Approved/Endorsed By:
Rich rd Holuorn, P. Eng.
Dir- ctor, Engineering Services
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
11lr,°e.
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
46-1)--. 2019
Attachment #1 to Report # ENG 11-19
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Engineering Services Department
Balsdon Park Master Plan
Location Map
Attachment # 2 to Report # ENG 11-19
north entrance
view into park from north entrance
south-west entrance
view into park from SW entrance
ENGINEERING
SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
SCALE:
N.T.S
DATE:
May 2018
playground asphalt path
area
Balsdon Park Master Plan
Existing Site Photos
view facin
east across ark
view facing north across park
south-east entrance
view into park from SE entrance
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Attachment # 3 to Report # ENG 11-19
NAROCH BOULEVARD
HALLER
AVENUE
LED lighting
Accessible
Open Space
Play Area
Secondary walkway
for "looped" trail
(1.5m wide)
Trees
Children's
Playground
Area
Shade Structure
with seating
Mointenace
Gate
Leash Free Area
Fence
Asp5holtm wide) alkway
(2.
Leash Free Area
Entrance Gates
Accend ssibeastileng path
a
CLD 0�
AVENUE]
. 5tati oasts
'...
7.0h..,
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- WI
ENGINEERING
SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
SCALE: DATE:
N.T.S rev. October 2019
Balsdon Park Master Plan
Context Site Plan
Cty
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Attachment # 4 to Report # ENG 11-19
Seating
Leash -free Area
Shade Structure
Asphalt walkway
(2.5m wide)
Leash Free Area
Entrance Gates
Accessible path
and seating
Dog waste
Station
Children's Playground
ENGINEERING
SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
SCALE:
N.T.S
DATE:
rev. October 2019
Balsdon Park Master Plan
Concept Site Plan
Pathway Lighting
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