X Respond to staff direction

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1 Page 1 of Report TO: Community Services Committee Corporate Services Division SUBJECT: Apeldoorn Mundalization Project Report Number: Report Date: February 17, 2010 File Number(s): Ward(s) Affected: All X Date to Committee: March 3, 2010 Date to Council: March 22, 2010 Recommendation: Approve of Elgin Park as the location for the Apeldoorn Park Exchange. Purpose: Address goal, action or initiative in strategic plan Establish new or revised policy or service standard Respond to legislation X Respond to staff direction Address other area of responsibility Background: In May 2005, Burlington and Apeldoorn signed a twinning agreement and proclamation to formalize the friendship between the citizens of the two communities and to foster mutual understanding in such areas as the arts, culture, education, history, sports and business. In October 2006, the first citizen delegation from Apeldoorn visited Burlington and took part in a successful program that centred on the two themes of art and nature/environment. In October 2007, Burlington s first delegation visited Apeldoorn to celebrate the twinning relationship and to attend a conference on exchange programs. As a result of the October 2007 visit to Apeldoorn, Burlington Council approved a program where Burlington and Apeldoorn would participate in an exchange of design services leading to a park development in each of the sister cities, not to exceed $100,000, to be completed by the end of 2011.

2 Page 2 of Report Discussion: The 2007 plans included the following process that staff will be following: Staff from Burlington and Apeldoorn each reciprocally designs an area for the respective twin city. Each community would be responsible for providing a survey, elevations, site service plans and photos for the agreed-upon sites. Staff in each community would complete a concept plan, which would be reviewed by the sister city and signed off and announced in a joint conferencetype event and recognition celebration. Detailed design would be completed in each community. Funding for the implementation of the design projects would be balanced in both communities (see financial matters section). Installation of the design would be completed following the necessary quotation processes, opportunities for participation by local companies and their counterparts in the sister city. The intention would be to design a park that provides a meaningful experience of Canada (in Apeldoorn) and vice versa, and a gathering place for residents and visitors to each city. Site Options: Three potential sites were considered, including: Elgin Park, Appendix A Brock Park, Appendix B St. John s Anglican Church and Hydro Corridor Lands (Guelph Line & Dundas Street) Appendix C Each site was evaluated on the following criteria: Land ownership city vs. leased or others Opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the location while visiting other city venues, cultural and special events, therefore easily accessible Proximity to civic buildings where twinning events may occur Park re-development opportunities Budget Linkages to other Apledoorn cultural initiatives in Burlington The evaluation of each site is contained in Appendix D. Recommended Site: Staff are of the opinion that both Brock Park and Elgin Park best meet the evaluation criteria. Given the location and the ownership constraints, the St. John Anglican Church

3 Page 3 of Report site is not as favourable. In consideration of other matters, staff are recommending Elgin Park, be the approved site for the twinning exchange. Elgin Park has further advantages over Brock Park in that it was scheduled for redevelopment in the next 1-2 year timeframe, where as Brock Park is essentially, newly and fully developed to its capacity. Elgin Park: In consideration of the recommendation, Council should be aware of the following: Any new design and redevelopment of this park will have to be done with the Roads and Parks Maintenance facility remaining in place at this time. Staff are confident that the park can still be developed to be reflective of the Apeldoorn heritage and a future phase can address how the remainder of the park will be integrated once a decision has been made on the maintenance facility. Part of the redevelopment of Elgin Park was intended to be the removal or replacement of the play structures. With new CSA standards and the limitations of this site, at time of re-development, staff would have been recommending that the play structures not be replaced and a more urban treatment be considered for the park. This is in keeping with the proximity to the downtown core and re-development along Elgin Street, including the Performing Arts Centre. It should also be noted that play structures and playgrounds are available for residents to access in close proximity, including Spencer Smith Park, Beachway and Maple Park. A detailed work program and concept plans will be available for presentation for the delegation to Apeldoorn. Financial Matters: In the 2010 Capital Budget and Capital Forecast, the Apeldoorn Project was identified under Park Repair and Renewal in the Park and Open Space Asset Category. A location was not identified at the time. The budget identifies $100,000 in 2011 and $25,000 in This would be sufficient funds to implement the park design of Elgin Park. Source of Funding See above. Other Resource Impacts Staff time to organize and manage the design which will be accommodated in the work plan to ensure timing expectations and completion.

4 Page 4 of Report Communication Matters: Appropriate public consultation will be undertaken with the local community and any interest groups throughout the design process. Conclusion: After consideration of a number of sites, staff recommend that the Apeldoorn Park Exchange be undertaken for Elgin Park as this location meets the object of the criteria, addresses a park that requires re-development and can be completed with the anticipated budget and timeframes. Respectfully submitted, Charlotte O Hara-Griffin Supervisor Park Planning & Development Robert Peachey Manager, Parks, Open Space & Assets Danielle Pitoscia Committee Clerk Notifications: Name Mailing or Address Mundialization Committee Approvals: *required *Department Head City Treasurer General Manager City Manager To be completed by the Clerks Department Committee Disposition & Comments 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn Council Disposition & Comments 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn

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8 Page 8 of Report Appendix D Park Evaluation Elgin Park: Advantages: Municipal ownership Proximity to cultural events and venues, i.e. Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Arts Centre, Spencer Smith Park, Joseph Brant Museum Proximity to transit Proximity to City Hall, ceremonial spaces, i.e. City Hall, Civic Square, Tourism Burlington This parkette is scheduled for re-development within the next 1-2 years Proximity to the Naval Monument, Cenotaph, gifted sculptured bench in Spencer Smith Park Many local opportunities that may be of interest to visitors, such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment Disadvantages: Roads and Parks Maintenance building remains on the site with no anticipated relocation Brock Park: Advantages: Municipal ownership Proximity to cultural events and venues, i.e. Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Arts Centre, Spencer Smith Park, Joseph Brant Museum Proximity to transit Proximity to City Hall, ceremonial spaces, i.e. City Hall, Civic Square, Tourism Burlington Proximity to the Naval Monument, Cenotaph, gifted sculptured bench in Spencer Smith Park Many local opportunities that may be of interest to visitors, such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment Disadvantages: Recently undertaken park renewal Burlington Arts Centre utilizes this space for special events and any further development may limit those opportunities St. John s Anglican Church: Advantages:

9 Page 9 of Report Spreads opportunity to display Apeldoorn heritage and culture to further points in the City Link to future Cycling Ways that were developed in partnership with Apledoorn staff Disadvantages: Lands are owned by St. John s Anglican Church and a portion of leased lands from Ontario Realty Corporation Future plans for Dundas Street and Guelph Line intersection may limit visibility and available land area Completely new development of the parcel may exceed budget limits Not readily accessible to residents and visitors No linkages to other cultural, special events and civic spaces