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Home My WebLink AboutENG 11-19Cfy �t DICKERING 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 DICKERING 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 c4 DICKERING 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.., C 1 - WI ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT SCALE: DATE: N.T.S rev. October 2019 Balsdon Park Master Plan Context Site Plan Cty DICKERING 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 c4 DICKERING