HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-18-045 - Victoria Park Neighbourhood Action PlanREPORT TO: City Council
DATE OF MEETING: February 26, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Josh Joseph, Supervisor of the Neighbourhood Development
Office 519 7412200 X 7082
PREPARED BY: Agnes Das, Neighbourhood Liaison 519 7412200 X 5078
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: February 5, 2018
REPORT NO.: CSD-18-045
SUBJECT: Victoria Park Neighbourhood Action Plan
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RECOMMENDATION:
For Information
BACKGROUND:
In 2015, a project team of resident volunteers and staff was established to guide the
development of the -ever Neighbourhood Strategy. Recognizing the
importance of community engagement, project team membership included residents,
Neighbourhood Association representatives and several community partners to guide
the development of the #lovemyhood. In February
Neighbourhoods was endorsed by City Council. This document outlines 18 specific
actions in three main areas: great places, connected people, and working together.
Ac
Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAP):
resident-led, City-supported Neighbourhood Action Plans. These plans will
help you develop a clear vision for your neighbourhood, identify specific
actions to achieve that vision, and have widespread support from the
neighbourhood. Starting with a pilot in two to four neighbourhoods in 2017-
2018, the program will be available city-wide in 2019.
To support the creation of NAPs, the Neighbourhood Strategy project team created a
comprehensive guide and toolkit for residents to use in the future which was based on
extensive research of how similar plans are created in other municipalities. The
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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following information has been pulled from the NAP guide to provide some basic
What is a NAP:
A NAP is a written document that identifies the priorities for a stronger
neighbourhood that is more safe, accessible, connected, inclusive, diverse and
engaged. Residents define their neighbourhood boundaries and create their own
plans that represent the many diverse voices of their neighbourhood. The plans are
action-oriented, resident-led and supported by City staff. The plans lay out a clear
vision for the future of a neighbourhood and identify meaningful and measureable
goals and objectives with action items that have widespread neighbourhood support
and can reasonably be implemented within a 5 year timeframe. The plans also
identify who will be responsible for each action item. Action items may be partially, or
fully, funded by the City through programs such as the Neighbourhood Matching
Grant and the Placemaking Challenge. Other funding bodies and sources may also
support the actions.
Who can create a NAP?
Any group of residents. Virtually anyone, in collaboration with their neighbours, can
create a NAP
particular geographical boundaries or have expertise in this type of planning.
Why create a NAP?
Creating a NAPwill help residents connect and work together to shape the future of
a neighbourhood. Residents who contribute to the creation of a plan may experience
the following benefits:
Increased knowledge of their neighbourhood
Increased opportunities to connect and get to know their neighbours
Increased sense of belonging, including a sense of neighbourhood identity/pride
Increased opportunities for residents to be involved and engaged
Increased ability to create positive change by addressing neighbourhood issues
Stronger neighbourhood leadership
How do residents create a NAP?
The creation of a NAP is not a step-by-step process, and it does not require a one-
size-fits-all approach. The process currently being piloted by the City has been
designed to be as flexible as possible. Throughout the creation of a NAP, continuous
engagement of residents is required to provide input, review, revise, monitor, and
adjust the plan. Throughout each step of the process, residents are encouraged to:
Reach out to as many members of their neighbourhood as possible.
Involve everyone by making meetings and events accessibleand inclusive
Communicate clearly with the broader neighbourhood, using a variety of
methods, to reach diverse neighbourhood members.
Recruit new members for the Neighbourhood Action Teamto make the team
representative of the neighbourhood.
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REPORT:
The Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association (VPNA) is the first resident-led group to
create a NAP using the process, guide and toolkit created by the Neighbourhood
Strategy project team. The following outlines the process they undertook to create their
plan:
1.Identified assets in their neighbourhood such as it being walkable and rideable,
through the Iron Horse Trail, being close to Downtown Kitchener, to transit, and
restaurants. Also features a beautiful park, which has mature trees, wildlife, water,
gardens, gazebo,and a pavilion, brings in families,festivals(Multicultural Festival),
andprovidesopportunities for avarietyof uses.An additional asset is the rich
historyof the neighbourhood that boasts of the Schneider Haus Museum and
Gallery, and well-known local historians. Italso offers several social services through
organizations like OneRoof, Reception House, and older adultand child friendly
spaces.
2.Crafted a vision statement for their neighbourhood that reflectsthose assets:The
VPN is an inviting community that connects people through history,culture, and
nature
3.Organised assets into themes and mapped out corresponding actions they would
like to pursue, as identified in the table below:
Asset Categories*Actionsto Enhance Assets
Resident-led traffic calming through a painted
Walkable / Connected
crosswalk on West Aveto provide safer access
Food forest enhancement, including partnering
Park/Nature
with City on urban forestry initiative
History
Story boards, neighbourhoodprofilebooklet
Seating and benches, community art, wall
Social/Cultural
mural on entry wall to trail (Henry Sturm
Greenway),community information boards
*As these projects are further explored, the resident group will actively work with City staff to ensure
compliance with applicable City policies and regulations, including for example the Victoria Park Area
Heritage Conservation District Plan.
4.Informed, consulted and collaborated with their neighbours throughout the
development of the action plan by:
a. social media,
b. face-to-face conversations,
c. newsletters/flyers to 1,085 households,
d. mail outs and visits to partners, businesses, and organizations in the area
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e.a street party to further engage the community
f.providing opportunities to vote on priorities online, in person, and drop off
at the community centre (ballots were hand-delivered to 1,085
households)
g.voting ballots and story boards displayed pictures to facilitate
understanding, making it as accessible and inclusive as possible (across
ages, and abilities)
h.The NAP team has
document for current residents and newcomers to access, and take pride
in knowing their n
belonging.
5.Applied for City of Kitchener grants like the Placemaking Challenge grant, and the
Neighbourhood Matching Funds grant.
6.Established timelines and work plan for Neighbourhood Action Plan implementation.
7.Implementation of action, apainted crosswalk, is anticipated
for spring / summer 2018, pending grant approval and funding.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority: Safe & Thriving Neighbourhoods
Strategy: 3.1 Give citizens the tools and opportunities to play an active leadership role
in creating great neighbourhoods and fostering a stronger sense of community
belonging.
Strategic Action: #NB1 Neighbourhood Strategy
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for the creation of Neighbourhood Action Plans such as this one, is built into
the Neighbourhood Development reserve created by City Council in early 2017. This
particular plan cost approximately $1,000 to help to fund some minimal hospitality for
the planning team volunteers and to run the street party that was a main mechanism of
engaging the community and gathering input into the plan from neighbours.
Opportunities to apply for municipal funding to implement priorities identified in a NAP
include the Neighbourhood Matching Grant and Placemaking Challenge Grant.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The resident group undertook a robust community engagement process that included:
INFORM
Regular posts on social media
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Facebook, website
1,085 newsletters to households within VPNA boundaries
Face to face conversations with neighbours
Pictures of priorities posted / delivered (1085) to facilitate understanding for all
Story boards
Mailout/visits/
invitations to partners, businesses, schools, and organizations
CONSULT
Asset-mapping data collected at neighbourhood events, and through NAP team
discussions
Ballots to vote on priority actions (with pictures):
Delivered to 1,085 households
Posted on social media
Could vote online, return ballot to community centre, or bring to street party
Community-engagement street party at Henry Sturm Greenway, along Iron
Horse Trail, featured story boards, pictures , and activities that encouraged input
through conversation, drawing, voting, making it inclusive and accessible
COLLABORATE
Reached out to partners (listed below) to invite collaboration by providing input
into the process, providing volunteers, in kind donations or monetary donations
(to help with obtaining amatching funds grant), or running a booth at the street
party:
o Schneider Haus
o City Café
o OneROOF
o Reception House
o Downtown Community Centre
o REEP
o Victoria Park Working Group
o Harold Russell (long time VP resident and historian)
o rych mills (local historian)
o David/Schneider group/ Brock group
o Carmichael School
o Benjamin's Tree Farm
o Sobeys, FourAll Ice Cream
ENTRUST
Entrust the Victoria Park NAP team to take the lead, with continued City-staff
support throughout to navigate processes and facilitate access to resources
(toolkits, grants, implementation process).
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PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
CSD-17-008Neighbourhood Strategy and Implementation Plan approved by City
Council on February 13, 2017.
CONCLUSION: (OPTIONAL HEADING)
The process of creating a Neighbourhood Action Plan is a positive and fruitful one. Key
learnings of the benefits of the Neighbourhood Action Plan:
It focusses the work and aspirations of the resident group
Captures the assets of the neighbourhood
Encourages intentional, ongoing community engagement
Provides a blueprint for future members,creating a positive base to work from
Facilitates more seamless succession planning; as new members come on they
have a point of reference, and a fluid document to adapt as needed, and move
forward with.
Results in concrete actions, creating a sense of accomplishment .Thus,
encourages a more sustainable outlook by keeping the momentum going.
Strengthens the characteristics we all aspire toward in neighbourhoods:
connectedness, leadership, safety, diversity, greater engagement, and inclusivity.
The Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association has embraced this process and continues
to excel at creating a safe, thriving and vibrant neighbourhood.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: MICHAEL MAY, DCAO
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