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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-19-011 - Survivor GardenREPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING:May 13, 2019 SUBMITTED BY:Niall Lobley,Director Parks and Cemeteries,519-741-2600, 4518 PREPARED BY:Rebecca Roy,Associate Landscape Architect,519-741-2600, 4151 WARD (S) INVOLVED:Ward9 DATE OF REPORT:April 24, 2019 REPORT NO.:INS-19-011 SUBJECT:SURVIVOR GARDEN ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That staff is directed to work with Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy to develop a Survivor Garden concept for Victoria park;and, That staff is directed to undertake stakeholder engagementto inform garden design; and, That Council authorize the General Manager, Infrastructure Services to enter into the necessaryagreements with Scott Barker and/orGateman Milloy, and any other partner for the creation of a Survivor Garden, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and, That Council include the Survivor Garden on the list of assets not to be sold for naming rights. BACKGROUND: In 2018, the City was approached by Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy,who wish to donatethe design and construction ofa Survivor Gardento the City of Kitchener. Contrary to the many Cancer Survivor Gardens constructed in many cities in North America, this garden seeks to broaden the definition of survivor to include those individuals enduring other personal hardships and adversities, to honourtheir journey and celebrate their survival.The location desired by the donor teamfor this garden is a site in Victoria Park as this park is centrally located,andisvitalto the community and the cityfabric. This project haspersonal significance to Scott Barker who is himself on a several bouts of cancer, mental health struggles, and childhood abuse. He wishes to donateaSurvivor Gardento theCity ofKitchenerand broader community tosupport otherswho areon a self- identified survivor journey. ***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance. 10 - 1 REPORT: Survivor Garden precedents exist inmanycities in North America, including Ottawa, London, and Chicago,howeverthe themeof these gardensis focused on cancer survival.Cancer Survivor Gardens are typically a space constructed to honour and commemorate those who have survived and have succumbed to the disease. Thephysicalexpression of a Cancer Survivor Garden space varies, and can include sculptural and commemorative elements, planting areas, interactive spaces, spaces for private contemplation, and for small group interaction. While undergoing cancer treatment, Scott Barkerfound solace in a Cancer Survivor Garden spacethat transformed his perspective on the adversity he had experienced in his lifeleading up to this point, and his own survival journey. s vision of a Survivor Garden space differs in that it is one that supportsall survival experiences including,but not limited to cancer, mental health, abuse, homelessness, poverty, residential schools, addiction, poverty, and war. This Survivor Gardenspaceis intended to be a source of inspiration and encouragement, a place forindividuals or groups togather and connect.TheSurvivor Garden ismeantto support those who are at any point on their journey of survival, as well asthose who are impacted by ajourney.Theconcept proposal includes a series of connected spaces for contemplation and meditation, for gathering and sharing, small group reflection, interaction, and private reflection(see Appendix A).The donors are not seeking recognition depicted in the garden space. In collaboration with City groupsin Development Services including Special Events and Heritage Planning, Parks & Cemeteriesstaff has considered several sites at Victoria Park as potentiallocations for the garden.The criteria for analysis included an inventory ofsummer eventsinthe parkand their locations, proximity to parking, accessibility by pedestrian traffic, sightlines, existing lighting,maintenance considerations,existing trees, proposed work, the need for enhancements in the park, and the Victoria Park Heritage District Conservation Plan. A short list of three sites that meet these criteria was determined and presentedto the donors. Their preferredlocation issite 2(see Appendix B). Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy will work closely with City staff to coordinateand implement the engagement strategy. City staff willparticipate in designreview, and willfacilitate alignment with other City requirements. The design and construction of the Survivor Garden space will be donatedto the City,the project team is working toward a 2020 construction timeline. Maintenance of the Survivor Garden will be assumed by the City on completion of construction. At the conclusion of the project,the City will also receive donated fundsto support potential future capital investment to maintain the Survivor Garden. 10 - 2 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority:Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods Strategy:3.6-Provide opportunities and support for citizens to lead the way in creating active and vibrant-being by capitalizing onlocal community assets such as community centres, pools, arenas, libraries, parks, trailsand other public spaces. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Financial implications of this project include the ongoing maintenance and operation of the garden space.These costs will be managed through a sustainable design and planting plan program. However, the garden will represent an increased level of service to the park. At this point staff estimate the operating impact to be in the range of $10,000 -$15,000 a year. Capital investment, including any required fundraising for the Survivor Garden is being met completely by Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy. The design and construction of the garden is at no cost to the City, except in-kind staff time to facilitate the project.At completion, the City will be provided funds, which will be set aside for any required future capital investment in the Survivor Garden. An agreement will be entered into with Scott Barker and/or Gateman Milloy with respect to the donated funds for future capital improvements. Ongoing management of the Survivor Garden is fully at the discretion of the City with no requirement for ongoing collaboration or discussion with the developer of the garden. The City will commit to respecting the intent of the garden for its anticipated lifecycle, which is approximately 25 years. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM committee meeting. CONSULT Stakeholder engagement willoccur over the spring and summer of 2019. The goal of the engagement is to identify the experientialexpectations of survivor groups in the gardenspace. The information and feedback gathered during the engagement stage will inform the design of the space. The project team has identified a variety of stakeholder groups for engagement, including neighbourhood groups, community service groups that support identified survivors,The Victoria Park Working Group,and Heritage Kitchener. Targeted engagement with specific groups will be conducted in the initial engagement effort, followed by open engagement with the broader community. The complexnature of the definition of survivorin this project demands thatengagementbe conducted in a manner that is sensitive toand inclusive of a variety of survivors, and is supportive of and beneficial tothose wanting to share their survivor experience.Specific 10 - 3 engagement tactics will adhere to best practices, and will employmethodsthatare appropriate to reach thestakeholder group. CONCLUSION:The City has been offered a generousphilanthropicgift, whichpresents a unique opportunity to develop an innovative and different asset to support health and ost prominent park spaces. The Survivor Garden is aligned with the strategic plan for the City and will add a valuable additional element to the Victoria Park landscape for generations to come. Working with the donors, stakeholders and wider community to shape a new garden within the parkthat respects its heritageprovides a different space for reflection within the park, further enhancing Victoria Park. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services 10 - 4 Appendix A: Survivor Garden Concept Plan Figure 1Survivor Garden concept plan 10 - 5 Appendix B: Key Map of Victoria Park and supported locations to site Survivor Garden Figure 2Victoria Park key map of supported sites for survivor garden 10 - 6