HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16, 2025Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee
Agenda
June 16, 2025
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Hybrid Electronic Meeting
For information related to accessibility requirements please contact:
Committee Coordinator
905.420.4611
clerks@pickering.ca
Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream.
Page
1.Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement
2.Review and Approval of Agenda
3.Disclosure of Interest
4.Approval of Minutes
4.1 March 17, 2025 Meeting Minutes 1
5.Delegations/Presentations
5.1 Waterfront Safety Presentation
Colin Thompson, Commodore of PARA Marine Search & Rescue
6.New Business
6.1 Follow-up discussion on Council presentation of May 26, 2025 for
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee 2025 work plan priority items
6.2 Waterfront Tree Canopy and Landscape Attraction Zones
A.McGean and L. Tidd
6.3 Frenchman’s Bay Water Quality Issues
G.McPherson
6.4 Beachfront Park Revitalization (phase 1) – project update
6.5 Shoreline Assessment Study, West Shore Boulevard to Marksbury Road –
project update
7.Other Business
8.Next Meeting – September 15, 2025
9.Adjournment
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee
March 17, 2025
Hybrid - Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: G. MacPherson
A. McGean
L. Tidd
I. Dewar, Ontario Power Generation
K. Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services
S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association
A. Zeeb, Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club
K. McDonald, Senior Manager, Restoration & Infrastructure, Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
Jia Dhatt, Coordinator, Parks Development, Engineering Services
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: A. Small
K. Stott
A. Bathe, Region of Durham
X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(Include deadline
as appropriate)
1. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
A.Mostert read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
Statement.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by L. Tidd
That the Agenda for the March 17, 2025, Meeting of the
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
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No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes
Moved by K. Dunlop
That the Minutes of the November 18, 2024, Meeting of the
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. Delegations/Presentations
5.1 Ashley Barich, Commodore, Pickering Rouge Canoe
Club
Re: Rebuilding the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club
A. Barich, Commodore, Pickering Rouge Canoe Club (PRCC)
appeared before the Committee and provided a brief overview
of the recent history of the PRCC, noting that it was a not-for-
profit group, offered many programs for various ages and
experience levels, and were seeking to re-introduce their
Special Olympic programs. A. Barich explained that the PRCC
was seeking to re-instate their Canoe Club in Pickering and
securing a location on Frenchman’s Bay. A. Barich noted that
the programming offered by PRCC was a positive outlet for all
ages offering opportunities to build new skills and experiences
to Pickering residents.
Discussion ensued between the Committee Members and A.
Barich regarding:
•what steps would be required to secure a location for the
PRCC on Frenchman’s Bay;
•what the financial implications were, and that a previous
attempt to secure a location had been unsuccessful;
•the challenges of finding a suitable location due to water
quality and weeds which left limited available space,
especially towards the end of the summer months; and,
•which locations may be suitable.
A. Mostert noted that the next steps for PRCC would be the
submission of a proposal to the City of Pickering.
6. New Business
6.1 Proposed Paddle Sport Rental Location Update
A. Mostert noted that K. Coleman, Manager, Recreation
Services was bringing an Information Report to the May 5, 2025
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Executive Committee Meeting regarding proposing the west side
of Liverpool Road as a potential location for Paddle Sport
Rentals, and was investigating whether this could be
incorporated into the second phase of the Beachfront Park
Revitalization. A. Mostert provided that based on Council
discussion, accommodations could be made within that plan for
a Paddle Sport Rental Location.
Discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff
regarding the benefit of incorporating a Paddle Sport Rental
location into the Revitalization plan, the viability of implementing
a temporary, small craft rental location, and prioritizing the
sustainability of the Bay for all watersports.
6.2 Beachfront Park Revitalization Phase 1 – construction
update
With the aide of a PowerPoint presentation, A. Mostert provided
a brief update on the construction of the Beachfront Park
Revitalization – Phase 1.
Discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff
regarding clarification that the new raised path followed the
same footprint of the previous boardwalk, directing residents to
official City information such as the webpage Let’s Talk
Pickering, snow clearing, and installing instructive signage,
highlighting public safety.
6.3 Shoreline Assessment Study, West Shore Boulevard to
Marksbury - update
A. Mostert noted that he had just received the first draft of the
Shoreline Coastal Assessment Study prepared by GHD for the
TRCA. Information and recommendations regarding shoreline
work will be brought back to the committee in a subsequent
meeting.
A. Mostert will share the final study with Committee Members.
6.4 Frenchman’s Bay – 2025 Maintenance and Water
Quality Characterization Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority (TRCA) report
A. Wallace, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,
appeared before the Committee and provided a brief summary
of the findings of the 2025 Maintenance and Water Quality
Characterization TRCA Report.
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Discussion between Committee Members, A. Wallace, TRCA,
Karen McDonald, TRCA, and staff ensued regarding:
•why the level of weeds in the Bay fluctuates;
•whether the unused budget for weed cutting from 2024
would be brought forward to 2025;
•whether there were more effective ways to mitigate the
weeds than annual cutting and that the weeds were a
symptom of a larger problem; and,
•whether the herbicide ProcellaCOR was an option and that it
has had positive results in test cases so far.
6.5 Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee Annual
Report to Council
A. Mostert provided that the WVAC Annual report would be
required to go to the May 26, 2025, Council meeting.
A. Mostert listed the WVAC’s 2024 priorities as follows:
•Advocate for the health of Frenchman’s Bay by working with
the City of Pickering and TRCA to initiate an Aquatic Habitat
Restoration Strategy that looks at the environmental,
recreational, and physical aspects of the bay.
•Promote Pickering’s waterfront as a tourist attraction through
waterfront events, activities, and improved facilities.
•Review and provide recommendations to increase the safety
of our waterfront through on-site signage, 911 address/GPS
coordinates, and life-saving equipment.
•Review and provide recommendations on ways to improve
public access to the waterfront through trail connections,
parking/shuttle service, and public transit.
•Look for opportunities to enhance the waterfront area
through the installation of landscape features and to
increase our tree canopy along the waterfront.
Committee Members noted that these were on going priorities
and resolved to assign Members to take a leadership role on
each of the listed priorities, conducting research and creating
action items to increase accountability and identify attainable
goals.
A. Mostert provided that he would circulate a draft of the 2025
Annual report for the Committees comment and review.
7. Other Business
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There was no other business.
8. Next Meeting
June 16, 2025
8. Adjournment
Moved by S. Stanleigh
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 8:56 pm
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