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210317 MPRAC AGDThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee March 17, 2021 5:30pm Electronic meeting AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory committee meeting of March 17, 2021, be adopted. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Proposed Resolution #2 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee Minutes of November 18, 2020, be adopted. 5. Presentations/Deputations 5.1. Marketing Department – wayfinding signage 6. General Business & Reports 6.1. Staff update 6.2. Community Healthy Initiatives Grant application 6.3. Master Plan report card review 7. Next Meeting 8. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #2 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the March 17, 2021 Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at _____ p.m. Page 1 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Memorial Park Master Plan implementation Status as of January 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority Remove the ball diamond at the south end of the race track and replace with a new, smaller diamond (Little League size with grass infield) in the space between the current softball and hardball diamonds. Altered. Rebuild and reposition existing hardball diamond #1 as a full-size (330’ @ centerfield) with a clay infield and permanent pitcher’s mound to accommodate all ages and abilities. Changes – Council decided that the location of the diamond will remain as is, no clay infield COMPLETED LOW Expand the existing softball diamond by moving the clay infield and bleachers closer to the corner of Hardy Ave., and creating a larger outfield area. Abandoned. - No action required. N/A Remove the existing race track and horse barn to make space for other uses. Adopted. This work has been partially completed. The south end of the track has been removed. Berm has been removed and flattened on S side LOW Add a new centralized field house between the three ball diamonds. The building can include change rooms, offices, washrooms, storage, and a concession stand. Altered. This element has been repositioned in the Master Plan to reflect the recommended change in diamond layout. - No action required LOW Remove the existing race track. New pedestrian paths can follow the outline of the south half of the track, as a way of acknowledging and paying homage to this former site use. Adopted. This work has been partially completed. LOW Add a new fair building with a grandstand on the west side of the Lawn, adjacent to the north-south roadway. Altered. Livestock regulations require multiple buildings to ensure livestock health. Grandstand component is not needed in this location. North-south roadway will be restricted to maintenance traffic only. Building item North-south roadway item - COMPLETED LOW HIGH Re-grade the site to remove the raised berm at the south end of the race track. This currently creates a physical and visual barrier across the site. Adopted. This work has been completed. NEW. Incorporate an outdoor recreation pad on the west edge of this area near to the existing arena ice plant. COMPLETED, including the outdoor pad HIGH The Bandshell is in a pedestrian plaza, where it can become a central focal point on the site as one of the first things visitors see when entering either from Sanders Street or via the pedestrian bridge. The bandshell should be designed as a flexible performance space that faces both the large Central Lawn and the smaller Fairground space. For large events or concerts, the audience can assemble on the Lawn; for more intimate performances or gatherings they can use the plaza and Fairgrounds. It can also include spaces for dressing rooms and storage. Altered. The location has been shifted south. The Bandshell has been completed. Partially completed N/A Page 2 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority A new Fair Association Building, housing storage, office space, and a concession stand, at the south end of the Fairgrounds, adjacent to the new Waterpark entrance. These functions are currently housed in several buildings south of the arena. Removing the existing structures and amalgamating them into one new building will free up space to redevelop the area south of the arena into a more functional parking lot or work yard. Altered. The Fair Board prefers mid- zone location near the existing Office and snack bar. Remove existing structures and replace with one consolidated building including amenities that can be used to support the outdoor recreation pad. MEDIUM Renovate first Add a number of smaller picnic shelters to this area, including two or three arranged between the existing pavilion and the new fair building. These can be used during the fair or other events as vendor stalls or activity booths. Altered. Retain existing pavilion. No small shelters are recommended for this area at this time. NEW. Incorporate picnic shelter elements into the Bandshell for multi-purpose use in between events. NEW. Designate north portion of the picnic area as the Lions Grove to reflect memorial trees already in place and allow for future plantings. Lions Grove has been developed near Hawkins Bridge. Needs to be added to the map N/A MEDIUM Expand the Waterpark to the north, and consider adding a “lazy river” type of feature. Tabled. This requires further discussion and feasibility study before it can be confirmed. Consider adding a free splash/spray pad area (adjacent to the existing playground) for younger children. Altered. No splash pad component. Playground additions should be designed to enhance accessibility. This item needs to be revisited HIGH Add a new entrance building facing the John Street entrance, including a washroom serving other park users. Adopted. The building should incorporate elements to support backstage requirements of the bandshell. LOW Remove existing building or repurpose as a mechanical building for the Waterpark. Adopted. LOW Create a new, larger parking area. Adopted. Phased implementation is recommended in conjunction with developing of the South end, including removal of the Crystal Palace but not until appropriate alternate Fair building is available. Parking lot at the NE side of the centre has been completed. Parking area on the SW side is the next site to be defined for parking. HIGH No removal of CP Develop the site as a banquet / event facility, with a new four-season structure featuring windows and a terrace overlooking the Lake, as well as space for the Rowing Club. CMP: Consult with the Rowing Club to determine their needs in terms of facilities and storage. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion and feasibility study before they can be adopted, altered or abandoned. The Summer Place has been leased for 10 years to E&E McLaughlin N/A Page 3 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority CMP: Renovate the surrounding grounds with gardens to create a picturesque setting for wedding photos. The existing dock can also be used for photos. CMP: Add 90 degree accessible parking on the east side of Ross Street. For large events, guests can use the parking lot by the Waterpark entrance. CMP: Consider operating a nature interpretation / education centre out of the new building. CMP: Consider adding a roof-top observation platform overlooking both the Waterpark and Lake Lisgar. Add washroom facilities, either using a semi-permanent, portable trailer structure, or a permanent structure with composting toilets. Adopted. Development on this site should include improved washroom facilities. LOW Consider operating a nature interpretation and welcome centre at this location. Tabled. N/A Add a cantilevered deck or terrace on the back of Gibson House, overlooking the Lake. Altered. Boathouse storage should be incorporated under elevated deck structure. LOW Create a new work yard with storage space for maintenance vehicles and materials, south of the Arena in the space currently occupied by the Fair and “Chicken Coop” Buildings. The Fair offices and other spaces can be relocated to new buildings located by the Waterpark and/or the Central Lawn, as outlined above. The Chicken Coop building is no longer in good condition and should be removed. Altered. Pigeon Barn to be demolished and Fair offices consolidated in new building near existing location. Pigeon barn item Fair offices new building item HIGH LOW Develop a wayfinding strategy that incorporates graphic elements into signage at each entrance. Adopted. To be pursued in 2022 HIGH Name each entrance to establish an identity and give better definition. Adopted. Can be a quick win HIGH Develop a gateway / pedestrian plaza at the intersection of Lisgar and Hardy, with benches and/or feature walls, landscaping, and decorative paving. Adopted. Subject to Future Budget LOW Consider stone entrance pillars in this location to match the existing pillars at the Sanders Street and Ross Street entrances. Adopted. This will be the theme for all entrances Subject to Future Budget LOW Redevelop the south entrance of the Community Centre by: expanding and pushing the upper terrace out towards Hardy St. to create a larger gathering area; breaking up the long run of steps into smaller, more manageable sections; adding landscaping between the various levels to soften and reduce the visual impact of the large change in grade; and providing an accessible ramp. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion and feasibility study before they can be adopted, altered or abandoned. Pending decision on ICIP Grant Outcome N/A Improve pedestrian accessibility and safety by creating a “naked street” or “shared space” type of pedestrian-vehicular interface between the entrance plaza and Hardy Ave. This approach uses techniques such as removing curbs and adding paving patterns and bollards to create a space where pedestrians have priority and vehicles are forced to slow down. In this case it would expand the Community Centre entrance courtyard out into the streetscape, thereby N/A Page 4 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority increasing the visibility of the entrance and improving the arrival experience. Incorporate and encourage bicycle traffic into this area by providing adequate bike parking (racks) and through shared space design strategies. N/A Reconfiguration of this entrance area may also provide an opportunity to improve bus access. N/A Capitalize on the existing stone pillars at the Sanders Street entrance by creating a more defined entrance plaza / turnaround area with landscaping. Adopted. The entrance pillars have been renovated and restored. HIGH Consider connecting the pillars with a decorative arch displaying the park name. Abandoned. - No action required. N/A Remove the Crystal Palace building to open up views into the park and create space for a new parking lot. Relocate Crystal Palace functions (storage, events) to other buildings on site. Adopted. Phased implementation is recommended in conjunction with developing of the South end, including removal of the Crystal Palace but not until appropriate alternate Fair building is available. LOW Create a formal parking area for the Waterpark, connected to the Sanders Street entrance. Adopted. HIGH Build a new entrance building for the Waterpark that faces the John Street entrance and terminates the view into the park from John Street. Adopted. LOW Enhance the pedestrian arrival experience creating a small entrance plaza around the existing stone pillars, including decorative paving and landscaping. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion and feasibility study before they can be adopted, altered or abandoned. N/A Include attractive entrance signage here, as well as on the pedestrian trail leading into the park along the waterfront trail. N/A Coordinate landscaping improvements with redevelopment of the Summer Place site, to create a seamless transition to the rest of the park. N/A Add perpendicular street parking to the east side of Ross Street. N/A Redevelop and expand pedestrian entrance at the northeast corner of the site. A cantilevered boardwalk over the ravine in this location may allow for improved access without (or minimizing) encroaching on private property. Adopted. A preliminary design has been prepared. MEDIUM Use landscaping, signage, and paved surfacing to create a welcoming and more visible pedestrian entrance at the bridge access point on Delevan Crescent. Adopted. A complete design has been prepared. Repair abutments/footings item only 2019 budget item Kinsmen Club might be landscaping HIGH Improve park visibility and presence on Broadway through better and larger signage. Adopted. The ravine property across from Lisgar Avenue has been selected as the preferred location. Use retaining wall at Lisgar/Broadway? HIGH Additional gateway and access opportunities on Broadway are possible if the park boundaries are expanded through the acquisition of adjacent properties. Tabled for Council Review. HIGH Page 5 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority Reconfigure existing lots where possible to maximize capacity (e.g. the gravel lot off Hardy Ave., south of the Community Centre, and the lot northeast of the Community Centre) Adopted. NE lot completed in 2020 This Lot Budgeted for in 2023 N/A Expand existing lots where possible (e.g. the lot on Hardy Ave. adjacent to the Skate Park). Abandoned. With the Pump Track addition there is no room to expand this lot. HIGH Add new parking areas (e.g. between the Sanders Street and John Street entrances, and adjacent to the baseball diamond northeast of the Community Centre). Adopted. Subject to Future Budgets HIGH Add handicapped parking spaces to the lot northeast of the Community Centre. Adopted. HIGH Remove street parking in strategic areas along Hardy Ave. (especially west of the Community Centre) to reduce roadway congestion. Adopted. HIGH Ensure lots are well signed and named to aid in orientation and locating one’s car. Adopted. 2022 HIGH Review existing lighting of parking areas and add new lighting if needed. A lighting study conducted by a qualified engineer will provide guidance on the appropriate distribution and level of lighting required, as well as recommend measures to reduce light pollution to neighbouring residential properties. Adopted. North Entrance Completed HIGH Re-align the north-south road east of the Community Centre to the east and away from the building, to allow for new landscaped areas to screen the building and service areas. Tabled. Abandoned/closed N/A Reduce the width of this roadway to two lanes only, thereby freeing up space for landscaping and pedestrian circulation. Tabled. Abandoned/closed N/A Add a turnaround / passenger drop-off area at the Sanders Street entrance. Adopted. This has been incorporated into the design of the Gateway Garden at this entrance. COMPLETED LOW Close Welding Street to vehicular traffic and use as a pedestrian link only. Adopted. This work has been completed. COMPLETED Consider providing additional gates in the fence along the north edge of the site, to improve accessibility from the adjacent residential areas. This would need to be approved by the adjacent property owners. Adopted. Discussion with landowners has begun. LOW Consider removing this fence altogether if an alternative security / access control system is developed for paid events. Abandoned. - No action required. N/A Construct a network of pedestrian paths as shown on the Master Plan. Main paths to be minimum 3m wide with asphalt or concrete surfacing to allow access for maintenance vehicles, cyclists, skateboards, roller blades, and scooters. Trails through naturalized areas may be narrower and surfaced with bark chips or limestone screening. Adopted. Revisit this item considering the layout of diamonds MEDIUM Establish a unified palette of site furnishings, including benches, trash receptacles, and bike racks, and provide more bench locations along pedestrian paths. Adopted. Subject to Future Budgets LOW Page 6 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority Consider a boardwalk link at the southeast end of the lake, connecting Gibson House with Delevan Crescent. This would effectively create a trail loop system around the south end of Lake Lisgar, with the pedestrian bridge closing the loop. Tabled. Discuss with LLRC input N/A Consider a system of boardwalks extending out into the south end of Lake Lisgar, providing closer access to the water and bringing pedestrians away from traffic on Park Ave and Concession Street. This boardwalk can link up with the existing gazebo at the south end of the lake. Providing additional controlled access to the water in the form of boardwalks and viewing platforms will also reduce user conflicts at the rowing club dock, and help prevent erosion and other damage to sensitive shoreline areas. Adopted. Discuss with LLRC input VERY LOW Establish a north loop around Lake Lisgar, running from the pedestrian bridge to Lisgar Ave and/or the Rail Trail / Trans-Canada Trail, and back to the park via the northeast pedestrian entrance. Adopted. Discuss with LLRC input LOW Develop a trail loop naming system, with associated themes and coordinated signage (e.g. the Turtle Trail, the Great South Lake Loop, the Carolinian Trail). Adopted. Can be a quick win LOW Make the Trans-Canada Trail link more evident through improved signage and trail maps. Adopted. Can be a quick win LOW Measure path lengths and provide signage to indicate distance of travel for joggers, walkers, and cyclists, and mark the pavement with distance markers every 100 metres. Tabled. LOW Consider a fitness trail loop, with high quality outdoor fitness equipment appropriate for a range of ages and abilities. This recommendation has been incorporated into the Rotary Club’s planned project near the Tennis Courts. In progress MEDIUM Develop a coordinated system of wayfinding signage for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, including park entrance signs, trail-head signs, interpretive /informational signs and maps, direction indicators, and parking lot signs. Adopted. MEDIUM Expand the naturalized area along the north shore of the Lake (adjacent to the baseball diamond). Adopted. LOW Consider placing priority on Carolinian and other native species. Adopted. LOW Develop green “fingers” or planted areas extending into the park, following pedestrian paths. These will serve to connect site features and to define the different spaces within the park. Adopted. LOW Expand and diversify plantings along the north edge of the site (currently a monoculture of Norway Maples). This area can also be used for a memorial tree planting program. Adopted. LOW Remove existing ash trees. Adopted. This work has been completed. N/A Add boardwalks at the south end of the lake. Adopted. Discuss with LLRC input LOW Page 7 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority Construct viewing platforms at the base of each bridge abutment, with access steps and railings, in conjunction with erosion mitigation measures such as bioengineering, structural stabilization, and re-vegetation. Adopted. North end 2019/2020 – not started MEDIUM Enhance views to the Lake in strategic locations (e.g. looking south from the peninsula at the north end of the lake) by removal and pruning of foliage. Adopted. N/A Develop a nature interpretation program educational signage, brochures, school field trip programs, a website, and a smart phone app. For example, build on the existing tree signage program by creating a native/Carolinian tree walk along the Lake highlighting various tree species. Provide maps/brochures, information kiosks (the existing electronic kiosk in the Community Centre could be used for this), and tree identification signage. Tabled. N/A CMP: Collect dissolved oxygen data in the deepest part of the lake from before aeration begins until after the aerators are removed. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Locate all aeration units to the south end of the lake in depths greater than 3m. Aerators should be suspended above the sediments to avoid re-suspension. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Review the aeration process in the shallow lake waters to determine impacts rooted plant growth and navigability for the rowers. Explore alternatives to keep rowing lanes free of aquatic plants but encourage rooted aquatic plant growth elsewhere in the lake. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Implement a sampling program of the storm sewers. Samples should be collected following rain events and efforts to collect flow data at the same time would be helpful. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Track sources on target outlets by sampling upgradient through the sewer catchment. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Create wetland or floating wetland islands at the target outlets to assist in outlet treatment while sources are being tracked. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: While aeration can be effective means of controlling bottom water anoxia and resultant algal blooms, long term solutions should be explored. In particular, a review of the surface draw outlet structure to include a bottom draw component to passively mix the bottom waters is an option. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Review opportunities, effectiveness and funding approaches for converting some of the Lake Lisgar output to a bottom draw system. Tabled. These recommendations require further discussion N/A CMP: Encourage natural surveillance of spaces by making them visible from surrounding areas. All Adopted. LOW CMP: Place seating and other amenities along pathways and in gathering areas to promote legitimate site use and positive social interactions. All Adopted. Can be a quick win LOW CMP: Design lighting to eliminate blind spots, overly bright or glaring lights, and deep shadows. Lower intensity, even light levels allow eyes to adapt better to nighttime conditions. All Adopted. LOW Page 8 / 8 Memorial Park Master Plan status March 2021 Conceptual Plan Item Master Plan Status Current Status Priority CMP: Place pathway lighting at heights that illuminate pedestrians’ faces. All Adopted. LOW CMP: Ensure vegetation does not block view lines or create potential hiding places. All Adopted. LOW CMP: Provide easy visual and physical access for police and / or security personnel. All Adopted. LOW CMP: Ensure any designated entry points are clearly defined and visible. Use natural access control such as planting (e.g. thorny shrubs) to discourage intrusion into inappropriate areas. All Adopted. LOW CMP: Keep the site and facilities well maintained, in order to convey a sense of community pride and ownership and discourage opportunistic vandalism. All Adopted. HIGH CMP: Use coordinated signage and furnishings to reinforce and delineate territory and ownership. All Adopted. LOW