Belfountain Complex - Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting Belfountain Conservation Area Property Tour Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: 6:00pm 7:30pm Meeting Purpose: A tour of Belfountain Conservation Area was hosted by various staff from CVC Lands Department in order to: a) familiarize SAC members with the property lay-out and site features, b) outline the challenges with managing the site, and identify how the proposed developments under the Management Plan will create opportunities to address these challenges, c) outline where the proposed development options and project areas will be featured on the ground, d) identify how feedback has been integrated into the planning process to date, and e) prepare the SAC for reviewing on commenting on the Strategic Directions Report. Meeting Attendees: Organization Belfountain Heritage Society Alternate Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club Caledon Environmental Advisory Committee Town of Caledon Ontario Heritage Trust Ontario Heritage Trust Region of Peel Committee Member Steve Goyeche Carol Sheppard Adrie Lamers Tina Fernandes Kendrick Doll Brittany Tuttle Janet Wong Shawn Verge David Orr Jesse de Jager Joana Marques Eric Baldin Laura McDonald (Site Visit Notes) Victoria Edwards (Meeting Admin.) 1
Meeting Notes: Speaking Points (Tour); Questions and Answers Tour Station Introductions Management Plan Update Meeting Purpose and Format Location & Time 6:00 6:10 (Main Parking Area) Discussion Overview of SAC Meeting Agenda and Purpose Participant Introductions Overview of Management Plan and current stage (strategic directions phase) Overarching themes that will be included in design and development projects (theme of a Century Park, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions incorporated into all projects, etc) Parking and Development Zone (Eric Baldin) 6:10 6:20 (Main Parking Area) Need for additional parking within BCA future management strategies for parking, visitor flow and partnerships to reduce conflict Visitor Capacity and Staging Area Challenges Need for Design Enhancements to make more Efficient Use of Space Q #1: Have you looked at bussing options to/from this site? A: Yes, CVC has looked into this extensively. Unfortunately it is not something that is feasible for 2014 s Fall Season, but CVC will be looking into setting up a program for 2015. It was acknowledged that the parking issues within the Hamlet are not solely linked to the conservation area and that a wider traffic management plan is required; likely a collaborative project between the Town, Region and CVC. The Management Plan can deal with parking as a site level issue, further work to develop a holistic solution between multiple partners will take place outside of the Management Plan process. Q #2: Will the concept plans for this area accommodate a bus turnaround area? A: Yes, options for a loop or turn-around for busses will be included as part of the concept plan options. As the concept plans for the Belfountain Complex Management Plan are developed, the SAC will play an essential role in identifying options and providing input. Q #3: What will more meeting space entail? Is this warranted given current visitor activities and is there a demand for this? A: The purpose of meeting space within the Visitor Centre is to provide a multi-functional area where a range of activities can be carried out. It will primarily be used by CVC staff for onsite meetings, though could also be rented out during the week (this would support the identified need to encourage more weekday visitation). Additional space would provide opportunities for increased programming, meeting rentals and storage. It would be used to better facilitate the activities and interests that the property already receives, yet cannot handle appropriately. 2
Upper and Lower Picnic Areas (Shawn Verge) 6:20 6:30 (Picnic Area) Discussion on crafting a quality visitor experience and how this diminishes during peak periods (fall weekends and long weekends) due to visitor crowding and space restrictions. The efficient use of space in this area will involve design to maximize potential (delineate picnic areas, electricity, covered picnic pavilion) Q #4: Does CVC have a maximum capacity for this site? A: No, CVC does not have a policy for limiting the number of visitors to its conservation areas. If the parking lot is full, visitors may continue to arrive via foot into the CA. Q #5: Has CVC considered increasing fees for visitors? A: Yes, for the first time this year, CVC will be asking for an additional $10/car for premium parking. Q #6: Has CVC considered a cost increase per person? Increasing the cost could decrease visitation, and support the development of a quota. (Concern that a fee for premium parking would encourage visitors to leave their car in the parking lot for the day while they visit the Hamlet, or park in the Hamlet and walk in). A: This is a good point and something to consider. CVC strives to keep its conservation areas accessible to all visitors; asking visitors to pay a premium is a good suggestion, yet requires further discussion about who would no longer be able to access the CA. Q #7: Something to consider might be allocating the entire top area (including the upper picnic area) as the development/parking area this would provide additional space for parking. A: Noted. Planning for this area will identify all needs and restrictions/regulations (internal (CVC), municipal and provincial policy). The next phase of Management Planning will have the SAC considering design options for the Project Areas identified today. Q #8: CVC should consider a raised septic bed, which would create a much smaller footprint. A: Noted. This consideration will be incorporated into the concept plans/detailed design for the area. Q #9: Why does CVC need electricity in the lower picnic area? A: Providing electricity will make the picnic area more functional from a multi-use perspective. Several events and functions are hosted here (Invasive Species Events, Salamander Festival, etc), and options for electricity will provide opportunities for CVC, food vendors and other partners to set-up displays (lights, food, interactive workshops, heat lamps, etc). Electricity outlets may also be used by picnickers. Q#10: Comment: CVC needs to be creating a holistic experience, the property does not have to meet the needs of all users, the facilities should be designed to meet the demands of the target audience. The Objectives of the Management Plan will be outlined in the Strategic Directions Report, the SAC will have opportunity to comment on whether they believe the listed objectives do indeed relate to a balanced and holistic experience. 3
Pumphouse and Bridge Belfountain Dam and Headpond Class EA (Laura McDonald) Cultural Heritage Features (Jesse DeJager) Trails (Joana Marques) 6:30 6:35 (Pumphouse area) 6:35 6:40 (Pumphouse area) 6:40 6:50 (Cultural Heritage Area) 6:50 7:10 (Discussion on far side of the bridge/lead hike around Pond Loop Trail) Function as a staging area to draw people into the cultural and natural areas and allow them to plan their hike and experience Discussion on the importance of barrier-free design and site accessibility (and current lack thereof) Q #11: Have the interpretive opportunities in the Complex been planned out? A: The details and implementation plan for interpretive opportunities have been discussed at a high level and the input we have received from the SAC and Technical Steering Committee (TSC) indicate that interpretation opportunities are of high priority (and currently make up one of the most lacking site features). Education and interpretation will be a multi-faceted approach: Interpretive signage will be installed along the Pond Loop and Gorge Loop Trails, a plaque program identifying features of importance will be developed, innovative tools and applications will be developed to interpret natural and cultural features that are not readily accessible on the property. Q12: Comment The Ontario Heritage Trust would be interested in further partnering and participating in the planning and design of interpretive materials for the site. CVC is currently reviewing Proposals in order to select and hire a firm by the end of the year SAC will be heavily involved with this project and will be asked to provide input in terms of values, organizational objectives, alternative preferences and implementation preferences The Environmental Assessment will be brought forward to the SAC at the first meeting of 2015 (January or February) Overview of the history of Belfountain Conservation Area and Mack s Park, importance and relevance of the cultural heritage features and landscape Discussion on approaches for carrying the historic park theme throughout the CA Future functions of the trail system (Pond Loop accessible to most, cultural heritage interpretation focus; Gorge Loop intermediate trail, natural heritage interpretation focus; Bruce Trail advanced, signage at a minimum). Current Challenges in Design and State of Trails Utilizing Best Practices to Update Trail System with Environmental Protection, Visitor Experience and Accessibility in mind. Q13: Why will no new trails be added to the property? A: This iteration of the management plan will be looking to upgrade and enhance the existing footprint of the trail system. Small re-routes and formalizing ad-hoc trails will be considered (i.e. along old cottage area; to scenic view points), however no new areas are being considered in order to meet the environmental protection objectives* and zoning* designations of the Management Plan. Future opportunities for trail development, such as a route for the Credit Valley Trail may be further considered and options for appropriate sites may be included within this management plan (appropriate sites will include areas that already have a disturbed footprint, areas where trail development will not alter sensitive site features, areas where health and safety can be adequately managed and areas where 4
assets can be appropriately installed and managed). *The Strategic Directions Report will outline the proposed Zones and Objectives; the report is created based on the concepts developed with SAC and TSC throughout the Spring of 2014. Next Steps Note: Hike of Pond Loop Trail was not completed due to limited daylight hours. 7:10 7:20 Next Steps for the SAC: o There will not be a November Meeting, in lieu, we will forward the Strategic Directions Report for the Belfountain Complex Management Plan and ask for comment and input (likely via a feedback survey). o o There will also be no December SAC meeting, instead, CVC will be hosting Public Consultation. Feedback on the format of the Public Consultation will be solicited from SAC via email in November. SAC members are welcome to attend the public consultation session, and SAC members that are interested in hosting the event with CVC are encouraged to do so. Further details will be sent out in the near future. Public Consultation is being held on December 4, 2014 at the Cheltenham Community Centre. The format is a full day event; with the morning being a drop in centre/poster fair and the evening being a formal presentation of the management plan and facilitated discussion. The next meeting of the SAC will be in the first portion of 2014, likely February 5. The next meeting will provide an update on the Environmental Assessment process and consultant, feedback and next steps coming out of public consultation, update on detailed design works, and an evaluation of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and 2015 membership status. Thank-you and Close. 5