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Home My WebLink AboutINS-15-014 - Upper Canada Park Master Plan Staff Reporrt LR infrastructure s �1C�'S D!C��lp'1't1'xi''ent wmkitchener ca REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: September 21, 2015 SUBMITTED BY: Greg Hummel, Acting Director of Operations (741-2600 x4598) PREPARED BY: Mark Parris, Landscape Architect (741-2600 ext. 4397) WARD(S) INVOLVED: 4 DATE OF REPORT: September 10, 2015 REPORT NO.: INS-15-014 SUBJECT: Upper Canada Park Master Plan RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Upper Canada Park Master Plan, including the project priorities contained within the document be approved; and further, That the location of the proposed 2016/17 skatepark within Upper Canada Park (Southwest Optimist Sportsfields) be approved. BACKGROUND: The primary active park amenity within Upper Canada Park is Southwest Optimist Sportsfields. The primary function of Southwest Optimist Sportsfields is the operation of 5 ball diamonds of varying sizes and functions originally constructed in 1986. The Leisure Facilities Master Plan Update (LFMP) identified reliable growth of diamond sports within the Region of Waterloo. It was anticipated this demand would be captured in the proposed South Kitchener District Park (SKDP). Following completion of the LFMP Update, the planning and consultation phase of the SKDP Master Plan found that the proposed SKDP would not be large enough to accommodate the needs of diamond sports: "More recreation and leisure needs were identified throughout the project's 12 month consultation period than can be delivered by South Kitchener District Park alone" (INS-13-043— South Kitchener District Park Masterplan) ***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 8a - 1 A reduction in field inventory has added to the demand of diamond time, hi-lighted by the removal of Fischer Park (2015) and Hofstetter Park (2015). Consideration must also be given to the potential loss of diamonds & fields at Budd Park to accommodate potential industrial employment lands development. Preceding ball diamond growth has been addressed through investments to other district park facilities over the years (Rosenberg, Peter Hallman, Lions, Breithaupt, & Budd) to maintain recreational service delivery. REPORT: Throughout 2015, an Upper Canada Park master plan was undertaken by the City of Kitchener to address poor field layout and dated infrastructure in order to deliver recreational services at a more efficient level with the anticipation of significantly increasing the use and enjoyment of one of Kitchener's largest and esthetic park spaces. The master plans goals also include improving the connectivity of the park space, accommodate new recreational opportunities and including the location of a permanent skatepark recommended by the Skatepark Planning Study (2012). The intent of this master plan is to develop a complete park design with following goals, central to the development of the master plan: 1. Upgrade existing aging recreational infrastructure; 2. Improve efficiency of park space use; 3. Provide pedestrian connections between recreational amenities and community facilities; 4. Address changing demands of the community; 5. Provide a suitable and long term location for a proposed skatepark facility; 6. Accommodate for current and future losses of ball diamonds. Upper Canada Park is currently the southernmost District Park within the city, and has the largest concentration of baseball diamonds (5) on one property. The district park currently services the Doon South and Pioneer Park planning communities with use from a variety of residents and user groups city-wide. A dated, inefficient layout of the park facilities coupled with aging infrastructure and insufficient supporting facilities such as available parking, has led to a severe decline in use of the Southwest Optimist Sportsfields. 8a - 2 This sportsfield decline is reflected in the annual hours booked per field shown below: Average Annual Hours Booked per Field,2012-2014 600 ... 500 ... 486 481 450 414 384 400 ... 0 300 .. 253.... . = 176 200 ... 100 ... .... 0 ... .... LP �P N� 9; 05 �� tee, �t.�` oZ` O to A detailed analysis of the existing conditions can be found in the Existing Park Conditions and Use (Section 3) of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan Report, circulated under separate cover. Community Consultation Approximately 100 residents were involved throughout the community consultation program. Multiple techniques were used to inform the community of the project milestones and consultation opportunities, including: • Social media postings sharing updates throughout the consultation process. • Direct notification through formal letter notification to area residents. • City website (www.kitchener.ca/parks) updated with project information, public meeting details and links to online survey and concept plans. • On-site signage at key entry points at Southwest Optimist Sportsfields, Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre and adjacent walkway blocks. A comprehensive community consultation program included the following activities: May 5 — 7, 2015 Focus group meetings were held with affiliated and non- affiliated minor and adult sport groups ; May 12, 2015 Staff presented the concept to the Southwest Optimist club at their regularly scheduled club meeting; May 21, 2015 Staff presented the refined concept to the Doon-Pioneer Park Community Association at their regularly scheduled meeting; 8a - 3 June 3, 2015 Public meeting held at Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre presenting the conceptual master plan, including park history and existing conditions analysis; June 3 - 307 2015 Online public survey obtained comments on the existing baseball diamonds & park features and proposed concept plan; August 19, 2015 Final plan and master plan document circulated to stakeholders and posted on the website for further comment; Strong support was heard from user groups (minor and adult diamond sport groups), community groups (Doon-Pioneer Park Community Assc.) and the Southwest Optimist Club, recognizing the need for long overdue improvements to the district park — not only to the diamonds but to address other park needs as well. See Appendix A and B for formalized letters of support from identified groups. Common among the support from a wide variety of interests was the potential the district park has — to become a regionally significant sporting venue offering a wide variety of family oriented recreational opportunities, and to become a hub within the community. Proposed Master Plan The Master Plan as shown below can be found in more detail in Section 4 of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan Report, circulated under separate cover. 5,p�3�FlJ L]L4U' „i nru�ri.us�aarwways llllllpllllllll "ra�� ' . �pw' ' `r rl 'raour�amsiMUa�r�remr�nui�0. � / /� V� d�l��1111�'uU�r4�'A� ,g / � ��/��✓/// q: ,,,, ;; I; w �k' J, v,r ° 0.MENITIE3 u r i pp( t I �I� � nuwnrexawc IIIIIII �-;,1 r/ 1 /-� rrC��„/r �/ vnxauvuava Aty� Sri F�,J� �I�� Jrt irr�� 1//� ., .. III COMM7IMITY CENTR! j��/I//�o i ea�wMeCTYa�w rr r ✓//rw�/ rl�,/f/i;.��6;i �/��I!///%%1/ �,,9��/ � �lu �/��G �� // / r �rru,;"'°�� ,,,,rrrrrrll/„/�///�///y%%��111111�1Dy!llillllJJJJJ��1��?�Y�dJ��11„ 8a - 4 Project Priorities Subject to the detail design process and necessary approvals, the following serves as a preliminary outline for the potential costs and project priorities associated with the master plan. Sportsfields and Supporting Infrastructure Priority Estimate $2,375,000 Funding 5ccvc io�� Release of existing 2015 Capital Budget for District Park Development Includes:v: Sportsfields, Parking Lot Improvements, Pedestrian Pathways (sportsfields only) and Maintenance Compound Priority 1 focuses on consolidating diamond layout and multi-use sized diamonds maximizes playability and increases available time 2 '/2 - 3 times its current state with one less diamond. Supporting parking will be expanded from 145 to 275 to accommodate all parking demands, including connecting pathways. Priority ed ce Funding Alternative: $1,500,000 Includes:v: Sportsfield development only This funding alternative does not include parking improvements, connecting pathways or maintenance compound. Park Amenities P'rtoritY 2A t s�dtnate� $980,000 Funding Scenar°kr Identified in approved 2015-2024 capital forecast tnctudes�� Skatepark, Basketball Courts, Playground Improvements, Neighbourhood Park Improvements, Pedestrian Pathways (amenity area only) and Multi-Use Pathway Improvements Prto r t'Y 2 B t +tttn ate: $630,000 Funding Scenar°to�: Not identified in 2015-2024 capital forecast Includes: Washroom Facility, Final Parking Lot Upgrades Future Improvements Priorily 3 Estimate: $530,000 Funding Scenario: Not identified in 2015-2024 capital forecast Includes: Pedestrian Bridge to Community Centre and Splashpad Priority 3 requires coordination of future planning studies and detail design required for implementation. 8a - 5 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The development of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan 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 re-investment in existing leisure facilities. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Financial implications are described and outlined in Community & Infrastructure Services Report INS-15-057 District Park Funding. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community engagement is outlined briefly above and in more detail in the Consultation and Plan Development (Section 2) of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan Report, circulated under separate cover. CONCLUSION: Upper Canada Park - including Southwest Optimist Sportsfields, Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre, natural area and Neighbourhood Park — provides an excellent opportunity to revitalize an antiquated park design and upgrade aging recreational infrastructure to benefit the community, active user groups and city as a whole. The district park is in a position to become one of Kitchener's premier sporting facilities. The park features a multi-purpose diamond sport complex, a variety of neighbourhood park amenities, excellent transportation linkages, a unique and esthetic natural context and strong connections with neighbouring commercial properties and residential community. Utilizing these park characteristics, strategic improvements will significantly increase the efficiency of sportsfield service delivery, realize the potential of a valued existing park space and position the city advantageously to accommodate current and future demand of ball diamonds for the next 7 to 10 years. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department 8a - 6 Appendix A- Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Support 0oon Pioneer 'ark Association efn 7rrti Pioneer Park Community Cenf»WkCommunity l.50 Fionncccr Drive Kitchener ON N2P 2C2 Voluntecra helping to m Aee our community a hetlter place to live. Phone:519-741-2641. Fax:519-748-9796 To whom It may concern, September S.2015 The intent of this letter is to show our full support for plans stated in the Upper Canada Master Plan„ This proposal will enhance the community greatly by offering updated and accessible unstructured leisure activities for the residents of Doan which are currently unavailable or unreachable for our community residents. Further investment into this largely underutilized park will not only meet the needs of our neighbourhood community,but will also provide very lucrative revenue generation for our local businesses and the City of Kitchener. Currently,our community lacks an appropriate and inclusive playground structure for both the very young and those with disabilities;forcing these individuals and their families to travel further outside of our community In order to safely,enjoy such amenities. Bringing our play structures to current code standards would allow for us to serve all neiighbourhood residents. In addition,with no playground structure at the community center the proposed improved connection between the park and center with the widened and solidified pathways,will Increase residents feelings of safety and ease of mobility as they move between the two locations and draw more foot traffic to the community center and attached KP'V-location. Skateboarding is a(popular activity for many of our younger residents and our mobile skateboard park is very limiting in both availability and structure.The proposed stationary,fully equipped,skate park,with very safe state of the art equipment,will give the skaters much more time to enjoy this activity and keep them from using public spaces such as roadways,private parking lots and buildings.It would also allow for us to be able to share our mobile skate park with other cammunities that are seeing new interest and growth in the sport. Our Community Center was one of the first in the city to provide a spray pad play area,however,this much valued and needed play area has become antigluated over time and lacks the luster and draw it once had. An updated`spray pad is much needed and Fong overdue in the community. The addition of expanded parking will be a tremendous feature,.Parking is a big problem in the neighbourhood—and quite dangerous with cars parked)along both sides of the road(and on occasion,parking on grassed park land close to pedestrian sidewalks and trail ways), The new facility will alleviate the road congestion and hazards associated with vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Cast,but certainly far from least, the four existing ball diamonds presently sit empty due to the inability to serve a broader user group. Also,the two diamonds at the back are often water logged in the spring rendering them. unusable until they dry up.By re-working these four diamonds and having therm lit up, we will see much better usage during the entire ball season for all levels of play;softball,hardball,slo pitch and T-ball;again generating much needed income for the community and the City. In summary,the Board of Directors of the Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Is in full support of the Upper Canada Master Plan. We feel it will he a wise and beneficial investment into our community by the City and will be fuil'y utilized for many years to come. i Respectfully submitted, Pam Rita,President,Do P k Community Assaciat'lon 8a - 7 Appendix B — Southwest Optimist Club Support Southwest Kitchener Optimist 120 Pioneer drive Kitchener,ON N2P 1 K8 September 8, 2015 Dear Mr. Parris, This is to confirm that the Southwest Kitchener Optimist Club is in support of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan Report dated August, 2015,which outlined the purpose of the project,the proposed features and implementation plan. The club is satisfied with the content and direction of the master plan and we look forward to seeing this project approved by council so that the improvements to the park can be started. Yours in Optimism, Cheryl Patterson. President, Southwest Kitchener Optimist Club 8a - 8