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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-043 - South Kitchener District Park Master Plan REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: November 18, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, (741-2600, ext. 4657) PREPARED BY:Dan Ritz, Supervisor Design & Development, (741-2600, ext. 4348) Tim O’Brien, Landscape Architect, (741-2600, ext. 4399) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 5 DATE OF REPORT: November 7, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-043 SUBJECT: SOUTH KITCHENER DISTRICT PARK MASTERPLAN RECOMMENDATION: That theSouth Kitchener District Park masterplan, including the principles and project priorities contained within the document be approved; and further Thatthe South Kitchener District Park masterplan be referred to departmental business planning and capital budget processes. BACKGROUND: InNovember 2012, staffinitiated a masterplanprocess(Report INS-12-085)for the future development of the South Kitchener District Park, a 17-hectare (42 acre) land parcel located at the south west corner of Huronand Fischer-Hallman Roadsthat was originally purchased by the City of Kitchener in 1983. District Parks have been developed in several strategic areas of Kitchener to serve as venues for the recreational programming of sportfields and indoor and/or outdoor recreation facilities that are beyond a neighbourhood park level of service, but not necessarily city-wide or regional in context. REPORT: The purpose of the South Kitchener District Park masterplan is to serve as a vision for the future overall development of the park and to guide future site planning and detailed design work of the manypark facilities and features. The masterplan completes phase 1 of the South Kitchener District Park projectas a forerunner to second phase work, to consist ofbusiness planning processesincluding detailed design,budgetingand schedulingforthe variouspark facilities. The district park masterplan is guided by and builds upon a number of previously approved documentsincluding the Southwest Urban Area Studies (2011), Rosenberg Secondary Plan (2011), Leisure Facilities Master Plan and Update (2005, 2013), Parks Strategic Plan (2010) and the Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Master Plan (2012). 5 - 1 Community Consultation A comprehensive community consultation program included the following activities: Focus groups and interviews conducted in 2012/13 with representatives of affiliated and non-affiliated minor and adult sports groups, city advisory committee members, city staff, council members, representatives of partnering organizations and others; A public meeting held on April 17, 2013 to receive input on three concept plan alternatives for the district park plan; An online survey in April - May 2013 on the city’s website to receive input on three concept plan alternatives for the district park; An online survey in September 2013 on the city’s website to receive input on the draft masterplan for the district park. Stakeholder Concept Plans Final Masterplan Committee Consultation Consultation Consultation Presentation Nov 2012 - January 2013 April - May 2013 September - October 2013 November 18, 2013 Approximately 300 residents were involved throughout the community consultation program for the district park. Multiple types of information and delivery techniques were employed to inform thecommunity of the project milestones and consultation opportunities, including: Your Kitchener article and an invitation to the public meeting; Social media postings to share updates and information with the city’s followers throughout consultation process; City website with project information, public meeting details, on-line survey; Media releasesregarding the update and the consultation process; Online survey posted on website during both the concept plan and masterplan stages. Of the 122 responses received fromthe September online survey, 80% of all the respondents strongly agreed or agreedthat the draft park master plan identifies the recreation facilities and park amenities that should be developed at the South Kitchener District Parkto support community needs. Survey data also show that 75% of all the respondents strongly agreed or agreedthat the draft park masterplan illustrates a good arrangement of park spaces and recreation facilitiesand represents overall a positive park design that will support community use and enjoyment. The final park masterplan addresses input received throughout the consultation process, includingthe September on-line survey,establishing: Excellentcommunity access to the major outdoor and indoor district park facilities by way of the in-park public transit connectionsand the in-park system of park trails, roadwayand parking lots; 5 - 2 Community open space and extensive park amenities to serve as a focus of the park plan, being prominently located and acting asthe central outdoor hub for four season community gathering and activity; Sportfields organizedto form a multi-field zone of activity that iswell positioned for potential park expansion and is well supported by parking and open space for spectators, team fitness and warm up. Masterplan Principles The masterplan contains a series of principles that will inform future detailed design of the various park and recreation facilities. These key park elements form the fundamental building blocks of the plan and the principles provide direction on the implementation of the masterplan. Staff is recommending that theprinciples be approved in concurrence with the approval of the masterplan. (Refer to section 3 of the masterplan report fordetailed wording of the principles) Principle 1:Masterplan & Project Priorities Principle 8:Aquatics Principle 2:Multi-Use PathwaysPrinciple 9:Arenas Principle 3:VehicleTransportation & ParkingPrinciple 10:Indoor Athletic Facility Principle 4:Park AmenitiesPrinciple 11:Site Infrastructure & Servicing Principle 5-6:SportsfieldsPrinciple 12: Operations & Maintenance Principle 7:Outdoor CourtsPrinciple 13:Site Expansion Project Priorities Staff recommends that the district park project priorities be approved in concurrence with approval of the district park masterplan. Subject to business planning processes and approvals, the following serves as an outline for the projectpriorities associated with the district park masterplan: SITE PREPARATION AND SERVICING Years 2-3 PRIORITY Includes: site services, primary park roadway,area grading, stormwater 1 management and groundwater protection. This work is not currently identified in the 10-year capital budget forecast and is estimated at $6.0M. PARK AMENITIES AND RECREATION AREA Years 4-5 PRIORITY Includes: park trails, splash pad, playgrounds, outdoor courts, central 2 lawn, field house, site furnishings and site landscaping. This work is estimated at $4.9M. Funding for this work is currently identified in the capital budget in years 2017 and 2019. MULTI-PURPOSE FIELDS Years 5-6 PRIORITY Includes: multiple purpose sportfields and related open space features, 3 vehicle parking, spectator seating, lighting and irrigation. This work is estimated at $5.1M. Funding for this work is currently identified in the capital budget in year 2019 5 - 3 INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE Years 8-11 PRIORITY Includes: community aquatic centre, indoor athletic facility and arena. 4 This work is estimated at $44.0M. Funding for the arena ($20.4M) and pool ($14.6M) is currently identified in the capital budget in years 2020- 2022. Additional planning & costing through the departmental business planning process will provide input into future capital budget updates. Summary More recreation and leisure needs were identified throughout the project’s 12month consultation periodthan can be delivered bySouth Kitchener District Parkalone. The district park masterplan brings together a balance ofpriority leisure and recreational park facilities requiredto support the healthy and active lifestyles of the southwest Kitchener communityand beyond. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The development of the South Kitchener District Park masterplan coincides with the community vision, “Together, we will build an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener with safe and thriving neighbourhoods” by providing valued services to residents of our community by enhancing their “Quality of Life” through investment in leisure facilities. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funding for the various park and leisure facility priorities will be consideredby Council during future capital budget processes. The timing of specific facilities will depend on availability of funding from sources such as development charges, property taxes, and potentially third party partnerships. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community engagement is outlined briefly above and in more detail in the Consultation Program (section 2.2) of the South Kitchener District Park masterplan report, circulated under separate cover. CONCLUSION: The community engagement for the South Kitchener District Park has occurred over a 12 month period effectively engaging the public and affected user groups at three major milestones: stakeholder input, concept plans and draftmasterplan. The proposed district park features represent an important extension of the strategic delivery of leisure and recreational facilities & services, as well as delivery of important active-park and open space resources to serve and support the emergence of the southwest Kitchener community. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department 5 - 4