Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-065 - Victoria Park Strategic Plan ) R Community Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Community Services Committee June 18, 2007 Ken Currier, Director of Operations William Sleeth, Landscape Architect, ext. 2401 6 June 14, 2007 CSD-07-065 VICTORIA PARK STRATEGIC PLAN RECOMMENDATION: For information and discussion. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Community Services Department is continuing with the implementation of the Victoria Park Strategic Plan through the 10 Year capital budget established for this project by City Council for the years 2004 to 2013. The public has generally confirmed the direction and priorities of the Victoria Park Foundations Plan and Strategic Plan at recent public meetings. Management of Canada Geese in Victoria Park, not previously identified in the Strategic Plan, was initiated in 2007 at the request of residents and park visitors and will be continued in future years. Water quality of Victoria Park Lake remains a high priority for residents and park visitors. The scope and complexity of this issue requires collaboration with the Department of Development and Technical Services, Engineering Division. Safety and security is also of concern to residents and park visitors. A study completed in 2006, Victoria Park Audit, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) has provided specific recommendations to improve safety in the park which will be implemented. Construction of the park entrance feature at Gaukel and Joseph Streets is currently proceeding and will be substantially complete by early September, 2007. Final completion will be before the end of 2007. Report No: CSD-07-065 2 Recommendation #29 of the City of Kitchener Leisure Facility Master Plan, Feb. 2005, states: "That the Victoria Park Master Plan be implemented." This objective is being realized through the work completed to date and the projects being implemented through the Victoria Park Strategic Plan. BACKGROUND: The Community Services Department, at its meeting of April 28, 2003 resolved: "That the Foundations Plan for Victoria Park be approved, in principle, as attached to Community Services report CSD-03-063; and further, That the Community Services Department be directed to proceed with preparation of the Strategic Plan for Victoria Park, based on the directions provided in the Foundations Plan, for presentation to the Community Services Committee in June 2003." At its meeting of June 23, 2003, the Community Services Department resolved: "That the Victoria Park Strategic Plan and the Draft Capital Forecast, attached to Community Services Department report CSD-03-094, be received as information; and further, That staff of the Community Services Department be directed to prepare a detailed Capital Forecast for the implementation of the Victoria Park Strategic Plan for consideration by City Council as part of the 2004 capital budget deliberations." Kitchener City Council, at its meeting of March 29, 2004, adopted the report of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and approved the creation of a $11 OM Investment Fund to support the Economic Development strategy which included funding for Victoria Park improvements totalling $2.7M ($270,000/year for 10 years). REPORT: The importance of Victoria Park to the citizens of Kitchener and as an important destination in the urban core of Kitchener has been recognized by City Council through the allocation of significant funding for improvements to the park as a whole as well as the major new entrance feature at the clock tower. These projects are currently underway and the purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of these projects and the focus of the next several years of implementation. Strateaic Plan ImDlementation 1. Projects Completed to date: We are currently in the fourth year of the 1 0 year capital budget established for improvements to Victoria Park for the years 2004 to 2013 with $270,000 provided annually. Projects completed in the first three years (2004 to 2006) of the annual $270,000 budget include: · Completion of 900/0 of internal park walkways · Asphalt surfacing of 900/0 of park walkways · Reconstruction and surfacing of the Devon/Jubilee parking lot Report No: CSD-07-065 3 · Completion of the water play facility · Phase 1 completion of vehicle control barriers · Phase 1 completion of tree planting · Reconstruction of perennial garden retaining walls at front garage (Water St.) · Completion of Lake Ice Study, to determine causes of unsafe ice and closure of winter skating 2. Current Projects: Water Quality · Victoria Park Lake functions as a large storm water management pond and continues to accumulate sediment on an annual basis. In the current system of sediment control in the watershed upstream of the lake the requirement for sediment removal is on a cycle of between 12 to 15 years. The last dredging operation occurred in 1995. · The Victoria Park Strategic Plan identifies water quality in Victoria Park Lake as an important issue for the public. This is underscored by public concerns expressed during the summer time when water quality is at its lowest. · There are several specific projects identified in the Strategic Plan which relate directly to the lake and lake edge which are on hold and will be implemented following the preparation of a comprehensive study of the factors affecting water quality in the lake. · Improvements to water quality in the Lake are not possible in isolation from the entire urban watershed which drains into the lake from the Henry Sturm Greenway and other contributing areas of the watershed. · An environmental assessment and detailed study is required for the watershed as a whole if we are to begin to address the water quality in the lake. · It is proposed that the costs for a watershed study, appropriate environmental assessments and detailed design for proposed improvements in the watershed be identified outside of the strategic plan for Victoria Park. · A joint report with the Engineering Division of the Department of Technical Services and the Community Services Department to address the watershed issues and the water quality in Victoria Park Lake will be tabled with the 2008 Capital budget submissions. · In the interim, sediment removal (dredging) of the lake is required regardless of any future improvements in the watershed upstream that may result from the Environmental Assessment. One of the objectives of the watershed study will be to reduce the need for dredging in the long term. · The Community Services Department will proceed through 2007 with acquiring consulting services, within the Strategic Plan funding, to prepare an analysis of existing conditions, prepare budget cost estimates and the contract for lake dredging. The Engineering Division of the Department of Technical Services will in 2007 prepare the terms of reference for an Environmental Assessment of the Henry Sturm Creek watershed, including Victoria Park Lake. Funding for the EA will be through the existing DTS budget. Report No: CSD-07-065 4 · An issue paper will be presented to Council prior to budget deliberations for 2008 which details the funding requirement for the contract for lake dredging work, which is not currently identified in the budget. At that time funding sources for this dredging will be identified which may require the reprioritization of other DTS storm water management projects and Community Services Operations projects. Safety Audit · In September 2006 a report prepared by the Waterloo Regional Police identified several public safety issues in the park and included a number of physical elements such as lighting, visibility and surveillance, street crossing safety among others. · Since that time staff has implemented the priority items and will continue to address other issues and identify specific items which can be implemented using the 2007 Capital Budget as well as plans and strategies for items beyond this year. This work will be carried on with the assistance of Facilities Management staff and other departments. Canada Geese in Victoria Park · The services of a firm specializing in wildlife control has been retained by the City of Kitchener to manage the Canada Geese in Victoria Park with a goal of reducing the conflicts with park users and neighbourhood residents. · Active management options and monitoring began in early May, 2007 and will continue through to the end of the year. · An effective long term management strategy is required and will be developed. The data and experience of this first year of management will assist in forming an effective long term management strategy. · Public consultation and communication will be an important part of this program to manage the Canada Geese in the park · In order to manage the population growth of resident Canada Geese in Victoria Park, more invasive techniques such as egg and nest depredation will be considered and shared through public consultation for implementation early in 2008. · Operations staff are continuing to address the geese droppings by regular cleaning of the pathways and relocation of many of the geese is scheduled for the week of June 18, 2007 once the appropriate Canadian Wildlife Service permitting is obtained. Pavilion · Waterproofing of the pavilion foundation is required and work is scheduled for the summer of 2007. · Excavations for waterproofing will cause significant disturbance to the landscape surrounding the pavilion. · The existing main entrance stairs and ramp to the pavilion require reconstruction. Demolition of the existing stairs and ramp will proceed in September 2007 followed by their immediate reconstruction using concrete and natural stone. · Restoration of the pavilion landscape will begin following construction of the new entrance and be completed by December 2007. Report No: CSD-07-065 5 Gaukel Street Entrance · The new entrance to Victoria Park at the terminus of Gaukel Street at the clock tower is part of a larger project which will lead visitors to downtown Kitchener from King Street at City Hall into the park. · The tree plantings and water features along Gaukel Street lead to an entry plaza at Joseph Street and through the natural stone piers into the informal gardens leading to the clock tower. The water feature of two connected ponds will also provide the setting for a major new public art installation. · Construction of the new park entrance was started in 2006 and is continuing, with an expected substantial completion date of September 2007. Final completion of all work is expected by the end of the year or early spring of 2008. 2007 Projects In addition to the current major projects listed above, there are numerous smaller projects scheduled for initiation or completion in 2007. A detailed list of these projects is attached (2007 Victoria Park Capital Projects). 3. Priorities for 2007 and beyond Water Quality Improving water quality in the lake, the primary feature of our most important urban park, is a high priority for park visitors and neighbourhood residents. The complexity of factors contributing to the aesthetic quality and general health of the lake and the cost of effective interventions will require the development of a long term strategy and implementation of solutions on an incremental basis over a number of years. The Community Services Department, in collaboration with the Department of Development and Technical Services anticipate beginning the following schedule for the first phases of this project: · 2007 - Prepare the terms of reference for an environmental assessment of the Henry Sturm Creek watershed, including Victoria Park Lake and contributing water courses upstream · 2007 - Acquire the services of an engineering consultant to prepare a lake sediment analysis and prepare budget cost estimates for sediment removal and present the lake sediment removal budget proposal for budget deliberations for the 2008 Capital budget · 2008 - Conduct the environmental assessment process and detailed study at a watershed scale and identify long term objectives and strategies · 2008 - Complete the environmental assessment and identify specific priorities and individual projects which meet the overall objective of improved water quality in the lake and begin detailed design of specific solutions within the context of a long term and comprehensive strategy · Prepare and issue tender for lake sediment removal. Timing of this phase will be contingent on receiving budget approval · Detailed design of the first phase of specific construction projects directly related to improving water quality within the watershed and the lake, including management of the lake sediment to reduce the requirement for future dredging. Timing of this phase will be contingent on budget approval. · Incremental implementation of solutions contributing to the overall objective of improved water quality and specific improvements to Victoria Park Lake and edge conditions Report No: CSD-07-065 6 Lake Edge Following the preparation of a long term strategy for water quality and the preparation of detailed design for lake improvements to address water quality, including the possible dredging of the lake, it will then be feasible to address the design and implementation of lake edge structures, including: · Restoration of the lake edge structures at the boathouse and completion of the landscape setting of the boathouse as a whole · Replacement of existing gabion basket lake edge structures with natural stone · Implementation of an appropriate debris management system to reduce floating garbage and debris in the lake and facilitate its safe removal by Operations staff. ( Operations staff are currently manually removing debris on a daily basis from the lake edges) · Lake edge plantings for aesthetic improvement and as part of the Canada Geese management program Upper Lake Bridge The walkways in the upper lake area of the park remain incomplete. A bridge is required over the upper lake to complete the lakeside trail. The final configuration of the upper lake area and a bridge location will be determined following the completion of detailed design associated with the water quality projects. This bridge will be incorporated into all proposed solutions proposed for this part of the lake. Railway Pedestrian Crossing An existing informal and unofficial pedestrian route connecting the western edge of Victoria Park with West Avenue is popular with neighbourhood residents. This route crosses the railway line at an unofficial crossing which remains unimproved. The approaching slopes and the railway line make this a connection which does not provide barrier free access and crosses land not in the ownership of the City of Kitchener. Detailed design of an appropriate crossing in this location will also follow from the detailed design of the upper lake area and the Henry Sturm Creek. Sidewalk Connections and Jubilee Drive Improvements Completion of sidewalk connections into the park, including Schneider Avenue and Water Street, and new curbs and surfacing where required along Jubilee Drive in collaboration with DTS. Special Events Infrastructure Improvements to the 'Commons' area include electrical and other specific facilities which improve the ability to program a variety of special events, including irrigation. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funding for the consultant services to prepare the terms of reference for the Environmental Assessment and prepare the lake sediment analysis and contract tender documents for the dredging operation will be jointly provided from the existing CSD Operations and DTS Engineering Capital budgets. The funding required for the dredging operation will be identified in the 2008 Capital budget process and may require other projects to be deferred or eliminated to create funding availability. Report No: CSD-07-065 7 COMMUNICATIONS: The Community Services Department hosted a public meeting on AprilS, 2007 at the Victoria Park Pavilion. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss public concern regarding conflicts with Canada Geese in Victoria Park and the surrounding neighbourhood and present a proposal for the management of these wild fowl in the park. The meeting was advertised in the local daily newspaper and invitations sent out to neighbourhood residents. A presentation was made by the wildlife control company hired by the City of Kitchener to manage the Canada Geese in the park. The Community Services Department also held a meeting on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at the Victoria Park Pavilion with residents of the Victoria Park neighbourhood. Invitations were sent by mail to all homes in the neighbourhood. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the 2003 Victoria Park Strategic Plan and to gain insight and opinion from neighbourhood residents on the park improvements completed in the past 3 years and to confirm the priorities and direction outlined in the plan. CONCLUSION: The Community Services Department will continue to implement the Victoria Park Strategic Plan in collaboration with other city departments and continue to review and update annual priorities in consultation with park visitors and neighbourhood residents. Ken Currier Director of Operations AP