Report to: Development Services Committee Date of Meeting: February 19, 2008

SUBJECT: Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan

PREPARED BY: Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator, Environmental

Planning & Rouge Park, extension 7925

Learie Miller, Senior Environmental Planner, extension 6922

RECOMMENDATION:

That the staff report entitled draft “Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan” dated February 19, 2008, be received;

And That Council express support for the Rouge Park’s Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan;

And That the Rouge Park consider the comments made in this staff report;

And That the Rouge Park be requested to prepare and maintain a financial implementation strategy, identifying private and public funding opportunities, as well as economic opportunities within the Park to implement and sustain the Park as a public resource;

And That the ongoing Town of Markham Rouge Park grant of $25,000 per year be directed to implementation of the Little Rouge Corridor Park or Bob Hunter Memorial Park from account 25-210 0024, and that the Rouge Park continue to provide the Town with a year end report on expenditure of the grant;

And That the Rouge Park Alliance be requested to focus implementation efforts first on providing the public amenities (including trails, trailheads and picnic areas) for Bob Hunter Memorial Park, in order to raise the profile of Rouge Park and facilitate public enjoyment on these lands, consistent with the “paramount actions” identified in the Rouge Watershed Plan to recognize and develop the Regional Open Space System;

And That this report be forwarded to the Rouge Park and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Region of York as the Town’s input into the Final Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan;

And That staff continue to work co-operatively with the Rouge Park, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, York Region, the Province of Ontario, residents and stakeholders, as appropriate to implement the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan;

And That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan is to specifically define future management strategies for the 193 hectares (477 acres) parcel which was dedicated in honour of the late Bob Hunter to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority for Rouge Park purposes by the Province in 2005. The Master Plan study was guided by the vision, goals and objectives set out in the 1994 Rouge Park Management Plan (RPMP) and Rouge North Management Plan (2001).

In recognition of Mr Hunter’s life work in conservation and environmental protection it was recommended that the lands be known as the Bob Hunter Memorial Park (BHMP).

Consistent with the Rouge North Management Plan the following are key objectives for the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan:

· Establish an ecologically-based Park, compatible with overall Rouge Park objectives;

· Provide protection and restoration of diverse ecosystems through the establishment of natural habitat and ecological connections;

· Identify, protect and integrate cultural heritage features;

· Provide opportunities for compatible public uses including nature-based passive recreation, and natural and cultural heritage interpretation and education; and,

· Commemorate Bob Hunter’s memory through protection of these lands, and continue his stewardship of our natural spaces by creating a legacy for future generations to enjoy.

The implementation plan for the Bob Hunter Memorial Park identifies short, medium and long term priority projects at a total cost of $5 to $6 million dollars. It is anticipated the Bob Hunter Memorial Park will be funded through partnership agreements with the key Rouge Park stakeholders including the TRCA, Region of York, Province of Ontario and Town of Markham. The Province has allocated money for the first phase of implementation for the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Plan.

On October 26, 2005, the Province of Ontario announced the dedication of 193 hectares (477 acres) parcel of provincially-owned land in the Town of Markham to be part of Rouge Park. The dedication was to honour the late Bob Hunter, lifelong environmentalist and co-founder of Greenpeace, and to provide protection to the area’s natural character and functions. The lands will be placed in the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s portfolio of landholdings, under Rouge Park’s management.

The Bob Hunter Memorial Park (BHMP) is bounded by Highway 407 on the north, the CP Rail (Havelock Subdivision) on the west, the Rouge Park (Little Rouge Corridor Public Lands) on the east and north of Steeles Avenue. There is a Hydro Corridor and CN Rail to the south of the site (Appendix A).

The BHMP is designated AGRICULTURE and HAZARD LANDS in the Town’s Official Plan. The lands also form part of the Provincial Greenbelt Plan and are identified as Protected Countryside and Natural Heritage System. The Town is reviewing the prime and rural agricultural classifications in the Greenbelt Plan through the Town’s Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation to determine if the park uses contemplated by the Bob Hunter Memorial Park will be permitted through the Town’s Greenbelt conformity exercise.

There are two (2) small privately-owned residential parcels located within the outer boundary of the Bob Hunter Memorial Park.

On November 23, 2007, the Rouge Park Alliance received and released the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Master Plan for review and endorsation by the Rouge Park Alliance partners. The Executive Summary for the Master Plan for the Bob Hunter Memorial Park is attached as Appendix ‘B’.

The Bob Hunter Memorial Park (BHMP) Master Plan exercise was undertaken by the Rouge Park and TRCA and included extensive consultations with the Bob Hunter family.

BOB HUNTER MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN – GENERAL

The focus of the Bob Hunter Master Plan is on the areas of natural heritage conservation, cultural heritage conservation and public use and recreation, while ensuring that Bob Hunter’s memory is reinforced through interpretive themes throughout the site. The Master Plan is consistent with the Rouge Park objectives. It is proposed to use 14^th Ave as the park spine. This is considered to be a positive functional element of the design which could enhance public usage.

BOB HUNTER MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN – THEMES

Woodlands

The BHMP includes an extensive program of woodland restoration (70% of the land area) to be planted as woodland to support and link the significant Box Grove Forest and the adjacent Little Rouge Creek valley. The restoration will contribute significantly to the TRCA’s, Region’s and Town’s objectives for increased natural cover within the Rouge Watershed. The primary area for reforestation is in the southern portion of the park surrounding Boxgrove Forest.

Wetlands

The BHMP identifies the historic landscape as being relatively wet, and as such, the Master Plan identifies the restoration of small wetlands and vernal pools in specific locations to enhance the biodiversity of the area. It should be noted that although proposed as a restoration initiative in the Master Plan, land disturbance to create wetlands and vernal pools would need to be subjected to archaeological investigations and the conducting of comprehensive hydrological studies.

Cultural Heritage

A number of Heritage properties were identified in the Master Plan as being worthy of preservation and are proposed to be incorporated within the BHMP lands either in their existing capacity as leased buildings or properties, or in adaptive uses that support compatible public use functions. For example, it was proposed that these could be used as agri-businesses, community gardens, or commercial initiatives that support visitation and potentially, revenue generation for park operations. The Town will review the park uses contemplated through the Greenbelt conformity exercise to determine if these park uses may be permitted within the context of the Greenbelt Plan.

Public Use and Recreation

The Master Plan proposes recreational uses concentrated along the 14^th Avenue corridor. The Master Plan includes the following recommendations:

Trails – these would include small systems of low-impact loops, natural surfaced walking trails in association with restoration areas for educational purposes. It is proposed to connect these nature trails to the main trail system which may include features such as boardwalks or viewing decks (as appropriate) to the habitat areas.
Recreation areas – these would include 5 small picnic areas and gathering spaces in areas that are readily accessible to the road and trail system and removed from significant natural areas. The Plan identifies these as small open space areas with picnic sites associated with a trailhead or point of interest, to a larger site designed to accommodate outdoor environmentally-based events or festivals, providing that they are low-impact and seasonal or periodic in nature.
Road improvements in the form of realignments, traffic lights, reduced traffic speeds, visual calming methods such as trees and landscaping, use of textured pavements or speed bumps are potential measures mentioned in the Master Plan.
Development of a Visitor Orientation Area.
Extensive use of directional signage and other interpretive/educational signage.

Design Guidelines

A series of guidelines and recommendations are provided in the Master Plan to address design of the following:

entrance features and identity, regulatory, interpretation, education and directional signage;
multi use trails, low impact trail loops, trailheads, rest/viewing areas and parking lots;
roads, road crossings and infrastructure; and,
fencing and barriers.

The re-alignment of 14^th Avenue is the responsibility of the Region and although it is important to ensure the road through the park is designed to integrate with the park setting, the function of the road and required capacity will need to be determined by the Region. The design guidelines in the BHMP should address design elements rather than functional requirements which are the responsibility of other agencies.

Management and Monitoring

The Master Plan recommends an on-going management and monitoring program within the BHMP to ensure adherence with policies currently in place for the Rouge Park including prohibiting hunting, use of motorized recreational vehicles, and off-trail biking. Long-term operations and park management issues are not addressed in the BHMP.

BOB HUNTER MEMORIAL PARK AREA MASTER PLAN – SPECIFIC COMMENTS

Implementation

The BHMP identifies an implementation strategy including short term (1-3 year), medium term (3-5 year), long term (5-10 year) and beyond 10 years projects. The BHMP identifies the costs associated which each activity or project with a total cost estimate of $5 – $6 million. The BHMP does not identify how these projects will be funded, but specifically identifies TRCA, Province of Ontario, York Region and the Town of Markham as potential funding partners. With the dedication of the Bob Hunter Memorial Park by the Province, some Provincial funding was provided to the Rouge Park for implementation efforts. There are also opportunities to secure funding through the Rouge Park Cultural and Heritage Projects program and funding opportunities being provided through the Southeast Collector Environmental Assessment process.

The combined Little Rouge Creek Park and Bob Hunter Memorial Park comprise over 2,000 acres of public parkland, but as of yet no trails or public use facilities are available. With some implementation funding now available through the Province, and other pending sources available through the Southeast Collector EA process, it would be appropriate to focus implementation efforts on now creating appropriate public access into the Rouge Park. The Rouge Park should be requested to focus implementation efforts on establishing trails and associated public use facilities in order to establish Rouge Park as the public resource it is intended to be. The Rouge Watershed Plan identifies as a paramount actions, the development of the public Regional Open Space System.

The BHMP Master Plan Implementation Costs are attached as Appendix ‘C’

14^th Avenue Re-alignment

The BHMP identifies a potential re-alignment of 14^th Avenue through the Park. 14^th Avenue is a regional arterial road with the potential to carry a significant amount of traffic. The re-alignment of 14^th Avenue would require an environmental assessment process and the BHMP should identify that the alignment of 14^th Avenue proposed, is subject to a regulatory Environmental Assessment (EA) process in conjunction with the Region of York, and that the alignment as shown in the Master Plan is subject to final determination. Staff recommend that the Master Plan be revised to clarify the process required to establish the realignment of 14^th Avenue and that this revised wording be satisfactory to the Region of York.

Recreational Opportunities

The recreational focus of the BHMP is along 14^th Avenue which provides the connection from the Box Grove community into the Bob Hunter Memorial Park and through to the Little Rouge Creek corridor. This is the recreational spine of the park. There are no trails or public access identified in the southern portion of the park in the Box Grove forest area. As the park evolves over time, there may be an opportunity for a natural recreational connection for the southern park area into the Little Rouge Creek corridor park area, Box Grove, and the main branch of the Rouge River. The BHMP should identify the opportunity to establish a trail network in the southern park area in the long-term, should usage opportunities prevail.

The BHMP should reference and be coordinated with the Town’s Pathways and Trails Master Plan to ensure that linkages between the park trails and Town’s trails is properly integrated and coordinated.

Comments from other Departments:

The following additional comments have been provided by staff:

The trailhead being proposed should be of sufficient size to support park visitors;

The plan does not indicate any facilities for maintenance operations and staffing;
Pedestrian trail linkages are not fully integrated with the Town’s Pathway and Trails Master Plan;
Public access to the park should be expanded as access is currently confined to 14^th Avenue and tributary C trails;
The Plan needs to include a maintenance and restoration strategy of heritage properties in the park; and,
The Plan should include support for the designation of heritage properties in the park.
A financial strategy is required.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The BHMP Master Plan supports the Town Corporate Strategic Plan, Engage 21^st Century Markham environmental protection goals and is consistent with the Rouge North Management Plan 2001 and the Rouge River Watershed Plan 2007.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The BHMP Master Plan was circulated internally to the Engineering, Operations, Parks and Open Space departments. Any comments received, have been incorporated.

CONCLUSION:

The Province of Ontario is to be commended for the initiative in establishing the Bob Hunter Memorial Park and the Rouge Park and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority should be commended for the preparation of the Master Plan. The document provides a strong basis for continued protection of this area of the Rouge Park and should be complementary to other initiatives currently underway. The Park will require significant capital and operating resources and a financial strategy is needed to secure the implementation of the BHMP over time. Staff recommends that the Town support the Rouge Park’s final BHMP Master Plan. Staff will report to Development Services as required to address future implementation activities and funding requests.

RECOMMENDED BY:

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services