HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK - 2019-08-06 - Item IF1 - Survivor Garden, Victoria ParkDate: July 15, 2019
To: Heritage Kitchener
From: Niall Lobley, Director, Parks & Cemeteries, 519-741-2200 ext. 4518
Rebecca Roy, Associate Landscape Architect, 519-741-2600 ext. 4151
cc:
file
Subject:
For information - Survivor Garden, Victoria Park
Overview
The City of Kitchener has been presented with the unique opportunity to build a Survivor
Garden in Victoria Park, where the entire capital project cost for the design and construction will
be donated.
The donor team is jointly Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy. This project is of personal
significance to Scott Barker who is himself on a journey of survival from multiple bouts of
cancer, mental health struggles and childhood abuse.
The intent of the garden is to provide an inclusive space in Victoria Park to recognize and
support those in our community who have survived illness, loss or trauma, as well as those
impacted by another’s survivor journey. This garden is aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan
and presents a distinctive and valuable addition to the Victoria Park landscape to support health
and wellness, with the complementary opportunity to augment the Romantic landscape
principles as outlined in the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan.
On May 27, 2019, Council approved the recommendations brought forward by staff in report
INS-19-011, appended to this memo (see Appendix A).
Location:
The Survivor Garden will be located around the perimeter of the Meadow area. Though the size
and extent of the garden will be confirmed during the design phase, existing garden beds in this
area that are not easily maintained by staff will be removed and the garden incorporated into the
space. The design intends to augment the edges around the meadow differentiating between
prospect and refuge. (See Appendix B)
Project Timeline:
Public engagement on the design of the garden is currently underway with an online survey
accessible through the EngageKitchener platform open until September 1, 2019. The survey
can be found at this link: https://www.engagewr.ca/survivor-garden.
The project team at Gateman Milloy will use the feedback gathered from the survey to inform
the final design. Staff intends to return to Heritage Kitchener with the final design concept in the
winter of 2019/2020. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2020.
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Appendix A – Staff Report, INS-19-011
Appended
Appendix B – Survivor Garden Location map
JUBILEE DRIVE
EXISTING GARDEN AREA
TO BE WORKED INTO
FINAL DESIGN
MEADOW
AREA TO
REMAIN OPEN
N
END OF INTERNAL MEMO
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REPORT 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Appendix A: Survivor Garden Concept Plan
Figure 1Survivor Garden concept plan
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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
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