Concerns Relating to Giovanni Caboto Park (M. Phair/J. Taylor)

Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.

Report Summary

This report provides information on a request by Boys and Girls Club to use parkland adjoining its McCauley site during 2001 World Championships in Athletics for media and sponsor parking. The request has been discussed and denied by the Community Services Department.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the April 9, 2001 meeting of City Council, Councillors M. Phair and J. Taylor made the following inquiry:

“Both of our Offices have received calls and letters (which are attached) expressing concerns around using Giovanni Caboto Park as a parking lot for up to 300 cars during the World Championships in August.

We would like the following information:

  1. What does the Administration know about this issue?
  2. Who has requested that the park be available for parking during the Championships? Who would receive the income?
  3. What precedent is there for such a use of a park? Why would the City consider such a use for a park? What are the expectations for the children and adults who regularly use the park?
  4. Is there a liability issue/cost for the City? If damage to the park takes place who is responsible for repairs or resodding.

We would like this report to return to the Community Services Committee as soon as possible."

Report

  1. What does the Administration know about this issue?
  • The Boys and Girls Club (the Club) sent a letter, dated October 3, 2000, to the Mayor requesting that parking be permitted on parkland adjoining its McCauley site for the 2001 World Championships in Athletics (Championships). The Community Services Department responded to the letter on November 15, 2000 by stating that the parking request would be considered provided the Boys and Girls Club undertake a consultation process with the McCauley Community League and the residents immediately next to the grassed area. The letter requested that the Club contact the Community Recreation Coordinator (CRC) who would assist in the consultation process.
  • Not having heard from the Club about consulting McCauley residents, the CRC contacted the Club on December 18, 2000. The CRC was re-contacted by the Club after Christmas and discussion occurred at a meeting held February 1, 2001. At this meeting, the CRC was advised that the parking expansion was intended for the entire sportsfield, not just the northeast corner of the site which is sometimes used for one-day special event parking.
  • On March 16, 2001, the Community Services Department met with the Club and Championship personnel to discuss the proposed parking location and number of cars. At this meeting, it was agreed that the Club would hold a consultation meeting with McCauley residents and send the consultation results and a detailed proposal to the Community Services Department, which would make a decision on approving a request for parking vehicles on parkland.
  • The Club hosted its consultation meeting on April 1, 2001. Twenty residents attended. By the end of the meeting, 17 of the 20 residents rejected the parking proposal. The Department has not received detailed consultation results from the Club nor a detailed proposal but has received several letters of concern from neighbourhood residents. The concerns include interruption of use of parkland and related impacts on the community.
  1. Who requested the park be available for parking and who would receive the income?
  • The Club verbally requested that parking be permitted on the parkland next to its building for the Championships. The income was to be used by the Club to fund its summer youth job initiative.
  • The Department has not received a detailed proposal in writing from the Club and has had no specific written request from the Championships.
  1. Is there precedent for such use of a park? Why would the City consider such a use? What are the expectations of regular park users?
  • According to Bylaw 2202, vehicle parking is not allowed on parkland. However, some exceptions have been made on the authority of the General Manager of the Community Services Department. This has usually occurred at district or city-wide parks on a one-day special- event basis. Examples include:

Parking on parkland at Buena Vista/Laurier Park for the Mother/Daughter Walk;

Parking on a sportsfield at Kinsmen Park during the Craft Sale in December;

Overflow parking on parkland at Hawrelak Park when there is a special event at Hawrelak Park and an event at the Heritage Amphitheatre.

  • The Department reviews such a request when an event is held that requires more parking than is available on-site. In some cases, Community Services Department has offered parking on-site to reduce the impact of parking within adjoining neighbourhoods.
  • Concerning citizens’ use of Giovanni Caboto Park, the Club indicated there would be full access to the playground and summer playground program during the Championships.
  1. Is there a liability issue/cost for the City? Who is responsible for repairs or resodding?
  • To reduce the liability for the City, the Club would be required to fence in the parking area to ensure safety of children and the general public, and to have attendants on-site during parking hours. As well, the City would enter into a short-term lease agreement on the parcel of parkland on which parking would be approved.
  • In discussion with the Club and Championships personnel, it was indicated that if approved, the Championships would be required to cover expenses associated with any damages. The CRC gathered costs on possible damages ranging from minimal damage (compaction damage to turf $800) to maximum damage (total sod replacement if there was parking on wet turf $48,000).
  • Additional requirements and costs would be anticipated from a Transportation and Streets Department perspective given increased traffic flow and potential shuttle activity at the site.
  • The Community Services Department has discussed whether approval would be provided for the intended parking on parkland if a detailed proposal and a formal request were to materialize. The Department decision has been to not approve such a request, in light of community concerns and Department concerns about such use of parkland.
  • The Boys and Girls Club has been advised of this decision and has indicated it is exploring other options with the Championships.

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