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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-030 - McLennan Park Update ) R Community Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Community Services Committee April 2, 2007 Ken Currier, Director of Operations (ext. 2657) Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development (ext. 2348) Ward 4 -South Ward March 28, 2007 CSD-07-030 McLENNAN PARK UPDATE RECOMMENDATION: For information purposes only. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The purpose of this report is to update Community Services Committee on the status of the implementation of McLennan Park as per the approved Masterplan Study of June 2003. With the approval of the 2003 Masterplan study and the recently executed Lease Agreement with the Region of Waterloo, several initiatives have been undertaken to move the implementation of the park forward. A detailed Implementation Report was undertaken in 2006, establishing an implementation plan, phasing plan & updated cost estimates for the park development. In addition, planning for phase one of the park development has been initiated with the anticipation of park construction beginning in the summer of 2007. BACKGROUND: McLennan Park is located close to the corner of Ottawa Street South and Strasburg Road. The property extends all the way from Ottawa Street South to Blackhorne Drive and comprises approximately 97 acres of landfill formed into a hill and level ground, and includes a woodlot at the southeast corner, and hydro corridor bisecting the park. Landfilling of McLennan Park by the City of Kitchener began in mid-1950. The site continued to be operated until 1973 at which time the Region of Waterloo was formed and the Region became responsible for waste management facilities. The Region operated the site until 1976 at which time it was closed. In April 2002, Council directed staff to prepare a Masterplan for the development of McLennan Park. A thorough site analysis and public consultation was conducted by Green Scheels Report No: CSD-07-030 2 Pidgeon Planning consultants between September 2002 and May 2003. The McLennan Park Master Plan and CSD recommendations were since adopted on September 15, 2003 (CSD-03- 095 June 23/03). Notable features of the Masterplan included a community trail system; skateboard park, playground and multi-use court; comfort station; downhill BMX and Freeride cycling trails; public tobogganing; great lawn with concept for conversion to sportsfields or skating oval; public parking; and leash-free dog area. The development of the park was to take place in multiple phases over a 15-year period. Total park development costs for the Masterplan were estimated to be 4.6 million (in 2003 dollars). Staff was also directed to start negotiations with the Region of Waterloo to lease the above ground surface portion of McLennan Park. In order for the City to determine whether the site was appropriate for public use, a Safety & Liability Review was completed by Conestoga- Rovers & Associates (September 2006). This review included an investigation of the landfill cover and existing site monitoring data. Following this review, a 49 year lease agreement was executed on November 1, 2006 with the Region of Waterloo in order to allow the City of Kitchener to develop the landfill into a public park. Generally, the City will assume responsibility for developing the surface of the site into a community park while the Region will continue to manage the below surface landfill monitoring systems. Report No: CSD-07-030 3 REPORT: Since the approval of the Masterplan study, Safety & Liability Review and executed Lease Agreement, several initiatives have been undertaken to move the implementation of the park forward. A summary of these actions to date, many of which will continue into 2007 are provided below. Imolementation Strateav-Reoort The preparation of a detailed implementation strategy was conducted during 2006 by city staff and the GSP Group. The final Implementation Report (March 2007) is available upon request. The detailed implementation strategy builds upon the approved 2003 Park Master Plan Study and included the following tasks: i) review of 2003 master plan recommendations ii) topographic survey and baseline information iii) traffic study iv) consultative thematic development v) public open house vi) detailed implementation plan vii) detailed cost estimate and phasing strategy viii) terms of reference and engineering precautions for phase 1 development The following is a summary of each of these tasks: Review of 2003 Master Plan Recommendations A review of the recommendations made in the 2003 Master Plan was undertaken with reference to the Leisure Facilities Master Plan completed in 2005, additional staff comments and other criteria. Generally, the Master Plan recommendations were found to be relevant and appropriate to current community needs with three modifications. 1) The Ottawa Street Entrance was identified as being too close to the adjacent commercial property accesses and therefore was shifted to the west. 2) The Great Lawn was retained, but only as a general turf area rather than built to sportsfield turf standards. 3) A combination summer running track and winter skating area were proposed as the demand for a short track speed skating oval could be met with indoor facilities elsewhere. Toooaraohic Survey and Baseline Information A detailed topographic survey was completed for the entire park property. A base plan was then developed from the survey data, an additional plan was created based on information from the Region for gas and leachate control infrastructure. A servicing review led to the recommendation that future servicing (Water hydrants; Comfort Station; Spray Pad) connect at Barwood Crescent through the existing park linkage. Analysis was completed for the toboggan hill modification assuming an all-fill approach instead of cutting into the landfill cap. An approximate requirement for 30,000 cubic metres of fill was determined. Storm water management recommendations require us to maintain directional flows to existing storm outlets around the perimeter of the park through the use of grass swales. Report No: CSD-07-030 4 Traffic Study The completion of a Traffic Study prior to further design and implementation was one of the recommendations of the Master Plan. Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. undertook a traffic and parking review to address issues raised in conjunction with the previous Master Plan and to support the development of the detailed layout plan. The Traffic Study confirmed that while the park is very well served with transit, cycling routes and community trails, as a regional facility it will be primarily accessed by car. It is anticipated that 750/0 of the vehicular traffic will use the Ottawa Street entrance and the majority of this traffic will come from the east. The study confirmed the appropriateness of the two proposed entrances and that vehicular access for Strasburg Road is not required. It also concluded that additional traffic loading on Blackhorne Drive would be minimal and result in no adverse impacts. The layout of the park road, adjacent parking and use of speed bumps provide an appropriate level of traffic calming and pedestrian safety. The study also concluded that the current proposed level of parking (179) was satisfactory and there are many opportunities for future parking expansion, if required. Consultative Thematic Develooment The identification of an appropriate theme for development of McLennan Park was established as a priority at the outset of the study. An invitation workshop, hosted by the GSP Group was held on April 5, 2006 at the Victoria Park Pavilion. 20 participants attended including, staff, designers, community and stakeholder representatives. The workshop began by reviewing the background and plans of the park, the importance of visual characteristics in creating image, identity and coherence in public space and the use of style, form, features and elements to contribute to a unique theme and look for the park. Participants then broke off into small working groups and later reconvened to review their findings. The findings of this workshop were used to determine design themes which were then presented at the May 16, 2006 public open house meeting. The planting theme was identified as a "naturalistic" style and showed meadow and woody successional plant communities. Three built form options were developed, loosely described as "contemporary", "traditional" and "rustic". Images and an entrance feature concept were developed for each option and also presented at the subsequent public open house. Public Ooen House A Public Open House was held May 16, 2006 at the Trillium Public School on Laurentian Drive, located near McLennan Park. Over 60 people attended, 59 left contact information and 27 completed comment sheets. A presentation was given after an informal review of panels including an updated concept, followed by a lengthy question and answer period. Generally the toboggan hill improvements, parking provision and overall layout were seen as positive features of the concept. There were numerous concerns about vehicular traffic, particularly the Ottawa Street entrance and the continuous park road. The great lawn area was most disliked, primarily due to the perceived destruction of the natural habitat that exists there now. The BMX facility had as many specific dislikes as likes, while the speed skating oval also had several negative responses. Combining positive and negative comments, several respondents were happy to see development finally beginning in the park, but from the standpoint that this was long overdue. Report No: CSD-07-030 5 The question regarding which built form option was preferred by the public was also asked: Option A (Contemporary), Option B (Traditional) or Option C (Rustic). Out of 26 responses to this question, 8 preferred Option A, 2 preferred Option B, and 16 preferred Option C. The "rustic" form in harmony with the "naturalized" theme was generally embraced by the public. Detailed Imolementation Plan A review of the public comments and additional refinement of the plan lead to the following layout changes: · The parking/road layout was rationalized that included a slight reduction in parking quantity (from 200 to 179 spaces) based on the traffic study findings, identification of accessible parking spaces, and relocation the roadway to run through parking areas to reduce paved areas and expose the roadway to the traffic calming effects of adjacent parking. Speed bumps/pedestrian crossing locations were also identified. · Several facilities were further refined, including a spray pad to augment children's play, two beach volleyball courts to augment youth and adult play, and a small BMX pump track to augment youth play and reduce cycling pressures on the skate park. · Facility organization was rationalized. Separation of the leash-free dog zone was improved by placing this facility to the east of the road and parking. Youth activities of Skateboarding and BMX pump track were placed to the north of the hydro corridor, closer to the Freeride cycling facility and next to the roadway for easier supervision. The child play area (playground & spray pad) and comfort station were grouped to the south of the hydro corridor, along with the multi-use court and volleyball courts. · The level of redevelopment of the south area of the park was reduced. Due to shifting community needs, the short track speed skating oval was replaced with a winter skating area and summer running track. The great lawn was refined to a smaller "family picnic area" . · In discussions with the cycling community, it was determined that there would be very little demand for cross-country cycling and therefore the cycling was refocused on youth Freeride and BMX activities. The final Implementation Plan is shown in Appendix A. Detailed Cost Estimate and Phasina Strateav Landscape and engineering unit costing were reviewed relative to additional design detail and current prices. Generally, the current overall cost is similar to that of the 2003 Master Plan estimate ($4.6M in 2003 dollars); however allowances for consulting services, administration and inflation are provided in all phases of the recent (2006) costing. It is recommended that the entire McLennan Park implementation plan be completed in four (4) phases. Each proposed phase has been arranged into logical grouping for cost efficiency and to reduce construction impact to the park users. Notwithstanding this, the entire project could be developed in fewer phases should budgets be allocated sooner. The phasing approach is shown below and also on the Phasing Plan in Appendix B. The cost estimate totals have been extracted from the Detailed Cost Estimate which is included in the final Implementation Report (March 2007). Report No: CSD-07-030 6 PHASE YEAR DESCRIPTION ESTIMATE (2006 DOLLARS) Phase 1 2006-7 Entry road and parking off Ottawa Street, entrance $1 ,043,532 features, widening of Ottawa Street to provide a left turn lane, toboggan hill grading, related storm water management, pedestrian trails, cycling facilities, park amenities and landscaping. Phase 2 2009 Blackhorne Drive entrance, hydro area parking, $1 ,242,608 playground, multi-use courts, lease free area, additional trails and landscaping. Phase 3 2012 Completion of internal road network, spray pad, comfort $1 ,258,598 station, additional trails and landscaping. Phase 4 2015 Blackhorne Drive parking, lookout area, skateboard $1 ,171 ,083 park, picnic shelter, winter skate rink, additional trails and landscaping. TOTAL $4,715,820 Phase One Develooment In July 2006 the city advertised Terms of References for Engineering Services for Phase One of the park development. The Walter Fedy Partnership and The GSP Group were retained to prepare final designs, contract drawings, specifications and all necessary contract administration and support. A second Public Open House was held on February 13, 2007 at the Trillium Public School on Laurentian Drive. Over 35 people attended, 26 left contact information and 5 completed comment sheets. An implementation plan (Appendix A), phasing plan (Appendix B) and phase one site plan (Appendix C) were presented. Participants were encouraged to review the panels, ask questions and fill in comments sheets. Participants were generally happy to see the improvements moving forward in 2007 and commented on whether the park development could be completed sooner rather than in four phases. Next steps will include the tendering & award of the phase one works in the spring of 2007 for summer 2007 construction. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budoet The recommended capital budget (2006 dollars) for the McLennan Park development based on the Detailed Cost Estimate included in the final Implementation Report (March 2007) is shown below: Phase 1 : Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: $523,000 (2006 approved) + $523,000 (2007 proposed) = $1 ,046,000 total $1 ,242,608 plus inflation (2009 proposed) $1 ,258,598 plus inflation (2012 proposed) $1 ,171 ,083 plus inflation (2015 proposed) Report No: CSD-07-030 7 The proposed capital budget forecast (including inflation) shown in the 2007 10 Year Capital Forecast is identified below: Funding 2006 1 2007 2009 2014 2015 Total CC 125,000 597,000 264,000 1 ,331 ,000 2,317,000 DC 398,000 663,000 1 ,212,000 175,000 2,448,000 TOTAL 523,000 523,000 1 ,260,000 1 ,476,000 1 ,506,000 4,765,000 Note 1: previously approved funding Operatino Budoet The proposed Tax Supported Operating Budget - 3 year projection for maintenance and operations of the park are as follows: 2008: $25,000 201 0: $25,000 COMMUNICATIONS: Through two advertised public open house meetings (May 16, 2006 & February 13, 2007) and the use of the City of Kitchener web page the general public and local neighbourhood residents have been kept apprised of the development strategy and implementation plans for McLennan Park. CONCLUSION: The completion of the Implementation Report (including the implementation plan, phasing plan & cost estimate) and the execution of the Lease Agreement with the Region of Waterloo represent an essential milestone for the foundation and future development of the community park. Ken Currier Director of Operations AP 00 Report No: CSD-07-030 APPENDIX B ~ Report No: CSD-07-030 APPENDIX C