HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-091 - Access Node Agreement Walter Bean TrailREPORT TO:Mayor Zehr and Members of Council
DATE OF MEETING:
October 24, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, ext. 4657
PREPARED BY:
Tim O’Brien, Landscape Architect, ext. 4399
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 4
DATE OF REPORT: October 20, 2011
REPORT NO.: INS-11-091
SUBJECT:
ACCESS NODE AGREEMENT – WALTER BEAN TRAIL
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the donor and the
Grand River Conservation Foundation with respect to the establishment and potential
relocation of the proposed donor-sponsored Walter Bean Trail access node at Doon
Valley Golf Course, 500 Doon Valley Drive.
BACKGROUND:
City Council resolved May 17, 1999 to construct and subsequently maintain the Walter Bean
Trail and trail access nodes within Kitchener, with construction funded by donations received by
the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail Foundation (CSC\1999-05-10).
Construction of the Walter Bean Trail, pedestrian bridge crossing of the Grand River and trail
access nodes have been funded by private donations originally made to the Walter Bean Grand
River Community Trail Foundation (the Foundation) and more recently held by the Grand River
Conservation Foundation (GRCF). Each trail access node bears signage to identify the family or
individual that sponsored the access node through a donation of funds to the Foundation/GRCF.
Trail access nodes offer excellent access to the WB Trail and Grand River, typically featuring
visitor parking, interpretive features and a variety of user amenities. The City of Kitchener
assumes ownership and responsibility for the WB Trail and trail access nodes following
construction in accordance with the 1999 Agreement.
City Council on April 19, 2010 approved the final design for the Walter Bean Trail pedestrian
bridge over the Grand River and associated WB Trail at Doon Valley Golf Course (CSD-10-020)
which included a provision for a future trail access node at the entrance to the Golf Course,
should a private donation be made available to fund construction of the trail access node.
Doon Valley Golf Course represents the southern trail head for the Walter Bean Trail in
Kitchener and a strategic point for a trail access node to offer excellent public access to the trail
and other public amenities at Doon Valley Golf Clubhouse.
REPORT:
The Grand River Conservation Foundation has advised INS staff that a donation to fully fund
construction of the proposed trail access node at Doon Valley Golf Course has been offered.
The City of Kitchener has advised the donor and GRCF that the City can not guarantee that the
site of the proposed trail access point would not be subject to future redevelopment. We have
advised that in the event it became necessary to relocate, the trail access node would be
reconstructed at the City of Kitchener’s expense at a nearby and suitable location along the
Walter Bean Trail, with the sponsorship signage intact as a part of the trail access node
relocation.
The donor and GRCF accept the possibility of the proposed trail access node being relocated
by the City of Kitchener in future, subject to an agreement satisfactory to each party.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Walter Bean Trail and trail access nodes provide public access and quality amenities to the
Grand River, one of Kitchener’s prime geographic resources, and contribute positively to the
community’s overall quality of life and the environment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The donation offered to the Grand River Conservation Foundation will fully cover all expenses
associated with original construction of the proposed trail access node at Doon Valley Golf
Course. The estimated cost of construction is $55,000.
Future relocation of the trail access node, if ever required, would be at the City of Kitchener’s
expense.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
A trail access point in the vicinity of Doon Valley Golf Course was identified by the original
Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail Master Plan, adopted by City Council in May 1999.
The Master Plan has been a part of all Walter Bean Trail public consultations since 1999.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department