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Report from John Macdonald

MEETING WITH CHRIS MARKS

SEPT.15, 2005.

WALKER STREET

The attached August 29 letter from John Murray was reviewed with Chris.

Walk about behind Walker Street.
  • Chris committed that the Town will retain a Landscape Architect who will draw up a plan for the entire area (est. cost, $2,000.)
  • Chris said he would have John McNeil, the Town Forrester look at this area.
  • Chris said any stone work would eat the budget.
  • John McNeil would likely have ECOPLANS do the work.
  • Chris' goal would be to plant the area to realize minimum maintenance (as well as achieve the goals as set out in John Murray's letter). However, he suggested we would likely require a pruning by Town staff each August. Chris would prefer the help of residents at this time under the Adopt A Park program. However, the residents would have to work under the direction of Town staff.


Next Steps - Walker Street.
  • Chris to engage Landscape Architect.
  • Chris will have another walkabout with John Macdonald and John Murray in the Fall.
  • Later, a meeting with Residents will be set up to review the plans.
  • Feb/Mar finalize the plans.
  • Spring - commence Phase 1 of a 2 phase plan if this is necessary (depends on amount of stone work whether we need 2 phases.


The work would likely proceed as follows:
  • Clear the unwanted weed trees and dead trees etc.
  • Alter the slope as called for in the plan.
  • Plant dwarf trees at the bottom.
  • Plant 6-8 ft. shrubs in the middle.
  • Plant low level bushes (eg Mungho Pine) and flowers at the top.


SHIPYARD PARK TO TANNERY PARK

The attached input from Forsythe residents was first reviewed.

Walkabout of the area behind Forsyth
  • Pathway is unacceptable as is and Chris committed to have it rectified right away.
  • Fence belongs to OYS - Chris will check their lease and perhaps a cost sharing approach could be applied to build a new fence of wood-board on board.
  • Hillside - I gave Chris the Architectural drawing which was done for the Town about 1991 - see plan for new plans.
  • Shoreline - Just south of the poplar trees, the shoreline is giving away. Dave Bloomer and Chris are working now on improving this area.
  • Parking Lots - a good discussion on options. Chris was not hopeful that we could get trees. (possibly flower planters) but the area will be considered by the landscape architect.
  • Chris does recognize that there is a "Town Wide Benefit" to improving these park lands.


Next Step

Chris will commission a new landscape plan which will be used for discussions with all concerned, ie.
  • Town
  • Daniels
  • WHRA
  • OYS
  • Forsythe residents



Note on OYS: They have long term leases and nothing can be done to gain access to the waterfront until the leases expire.


Chris then asked for clarification on WHRA's plans to get money from Daniels.

I explained that we first want to develop as much consensus as possible between Town, Daniels and WHRA, while taking into full account the Mayor's request that we do not compromise the Town's discussions with Daniels.

Our intention is to gain a concession from Daniels for $500,000 worth of work for the Shipyard/Tannery areas. This would be over and above:
(a) Cash in lieu of Parkland - (about 5% or one hectare per 300 units.) These dollars are spent by the Town for rehabilitating parks or to buy park equipment.
(b) Development fees in the magnitude of $2,500,000.

I explained to Chris that we'll pursue consensus building to the limit and we'll respect the Mayor's wishes on working with Daniels. However, we feel strongly that now is WHRA's turn to receive attention for its parks.

We will be preparing our residents for a concerted effort to influence the political process to get what we deserve at this time.

We need at minimum a $1.5 million rehab on Shipyard and Tannery Parks and we don't care where the money comes from but if we don't get it now (when we have to experience the Daniels' development disruption) then when?

We have no question that the rest of Oakville will either agree or be completely sympathetic to our position that we deserve a good share of the Daniels' development fees and/or cash in lieu.

SHORELINE BETWEEN WALKER STAIRCASE AND HARBOUR

Chris told me that, as part of the on going "Shoreline Protection" effort, he and Dave Bloomer were currently working on a pathway between the Harbour and the Staircase behind Walker Street.

The result would be similar to the pathway from Dingle Park to Allen Street. It is very expensive.

It can take up to 2 years to get approval for this type of work.

SHORELINE AT WATERWORKS (WATERFRONT) PARK

Chris said that the concrete on the shoreline is the result of the old way to protect shorelines. It wouldn't be done that way today.

Dave Bloomer assesses each part of the shoreline every 3 years. However, we don't have a structural problem there, so we have to bide our time until there is an opportunity. We'll have to see if we can incorporate it into the final phase of the Water Purification upgrade.

Next Step - Chris is going to set up a meeting with Chris, his direct report, Ray Green - Parks Commissioner so that we can all be reading from the same page.

I felt that this was a clear indication that we are on a similar track.



cc. Jim Brophy
Chris Marks
John Murray
Pat Schooling
WHRA executive

 
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Last revised on April 11, 2006
by Peter Markiewicz