Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-007-07 a. NJl!gtOn REPORT ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: Monday, January 8, 2007 Resolution #: 6PA-o I b" 0 7 Report #: EGD-07 -07 File #: By-law #: Subject: COURTICE SKATE PARK-8ITE SELECTION Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report EGD-07 -07 be received; 2. THAT the Courtice Skate Park be located at the Courtice Community Centre on the east side of the existing parking lot; 3. THAT the construction of the Courtice Skate Park be referred to the 2007 Capital Budget process; and 4. THAT interested parties be notified of Councils decision. Respectfully by, O~0J4 Submitted by: A. S. Cannella Director of Engineering Services Reviewed by: Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer ASC/PW~b December 20, 2006 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-9282 REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1Council approved funds for the design of a skate park in Courtice in the 2006 Capital Budget. Funding for the construction of the skate park has yet to be approved by Council. Public Meetings will be held in January and February 2007 to obtain input on the design of the park but before detailed design can begin the location of the skate park must be confirmed. Selecting the proper site for a skate park is very import to the future success of the park. Those located in secluded areas remote from public surveillance often develop problems with loitering and vandalism. It is usually not the skate park users who cause the problems but rather those who hang around a skate park because it is not easily monitored by staff, the public or police. A visible, open location is essential. Other important factors to consider are; ? A central location, close to potential users ? Good accessibility by public transit and by foot ? Impact on adjacent land uses ? Availability of parking ? Proximity to public washrooms, concession areas and phone Based on these criteria two municipal sites were identified as appropriate for the installation of a skate park in Courtice. The Courtice Community Centre on Courtice Road, and the South Courtice Community Park on Prestonvale Road. On September 27, 2006 an Open House was held at the Courtice Community Centre to receive public input on the site selection. The two potential locations were identified in a notice of Public Open House that was advertised in Clarington This Week on September 20 and 24. A feature article about the upcoming Open House and the potential locations also appeared in the September 24 Clarington This Week. REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 3 2.0 ANALYSIS 2.1 SKATE PARKS Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada with over one million participants. The demand for additional skate parks is high throughout North America. The 2005 Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study identified a deficiency of Skate Parks in Clarington and recommended that a new skate park be developed in Courtice. When introduced into established communities the location of skate parks is often a contentious issue. Some residents fear that skate parks will be magnets for unwanted activity. Others are concerned about potential noise issues. For those reasons the majority of recent skate parks in the GTA have been constructed adjacent to Community Centers where constant traffic flow and activity create good public surveillance to deter unwanted activity. Also the amenities associated with a Community Centre facility such as washrooms, concessions and telephones are complementary to the skate park. The Courtice Skate Park is proposed to be a 10,000-12,000 square foot poured concrete park with elements such as half, pipes, rails, boxes, steps and ramps. Typically skate parks are used year round as weather permits. The noise generated at these parks comes from voices of users and from the boards making contact with the concrete or metal elements in the park. The park will not be lighted so the use of the park will generally extend until dusk. The two potential sites have been evaluated based on the criteria indicated in Section 1. REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 4 2.2 COURTICE COMMUNITY CENTRE The Courtice Community Centre currently contains a pool, library, fitness centre, children’s adventure play area, outdoor soccer field and sand volleyball court. The Community Centre is located just south of the Courtice High School. The proposed location for the skate park is on the east side of the parking lot, south of the access driveway (attachment 1). Immediately north of the proposed skate park location is the Courtice High School football field, track, and tennis courts. Positive attributes of Courtice Community Centre site ? Close to Durham Transit and Go bus routes ? Central to residential development in Courtice ? Proposed location is very open and visible ? Washrooms, concessions and phones are available within the building ? Ample parking is available Negatives ? Requires the removal of the existing sand volleyball courts ? Adjacent residential is approximately 55m (180 feet) south of the proposed skate park site 2.3 SOUTH COURTICE COMMUNITY PARK South Courtice Community Park/Arena currently contains two ice pads, a mini- gym, a lighted soccer field and an outdoor basketball court. The master plan for the park includes 2 additional soccer fields, walking trails and a children’s play area. The proposed location for the skate park is north of the arena, east of the soccer field (attachment 2) REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 5 Positives attributes of South Courtice Community Park Site ? There is currently no adjacent residential development. The closest homes are on the west side of Prestonvale Road. ? Ample parking is available ? Washrooms, concessions and phones are available within the building Negatives ? Infrequent weekday bus service and no current weekend service ? The site is not easily accessible by foot from the majority of residential areas in Courtice ? The proposed location is farther from the street and access road making it less visible for public surveillance ? The land abutting the north edge of the park is designated for future residential. The future lots will be approximately 45m (148 ft) from the skate park site. 2.4 PUBLIC INPUT The September 27, 2006 Site Selection Open House was attended by 9 people. Six comment sheets were received at the meeting and four e-mail responses were received after the meeting. Below is a synopsis of the comments received. Two respondents favoured the South Courtice site because it was closest to their home. Two others favoured the South Courtice site because they live near the Courtice Community Centre and are concerned about increased noise and traffic. Three respondents had no preference for the site but are pleased that a park is being proposed. REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 6 One respondent preferred the Courtice Community Centre site because of its central location and availability of public transit. One respondent was concerned that construction at the Courtice Community Centre location would negatively impact the infiltration of ground water and ground water re-charge. The principal of Courtice High School supports the installation of a skate park at the Courtice Community Centre. She indicated that it will provide a positive recreation outlet for students. No residents of the adjacent condominium complex attended the Open House or submitted comments. 3.0 CONCLUSION Considering both the public comments and the site evaluation criteria the Courtice Community Centre is recommended as the proposed location for the Courtice Skate Park. Most users of the skate park will come by foot or public transit. The Courtice Community Centre location is easier to access by bus and is central to the urban areas of Courtice. The proposed location along the south side of the access road into the Courtice Community Centre assures good visibility and public surveillance. The park could also be designed to ensure that rain water and snow melt is not directed into the storm sewer system but rather onto the permeable areas around the concrete park resulting in no impact on infiltration of ground water. The existing sand volleyball courts were not programmed for use often in 2006 and could easily be re-located if desired. Staff has discussed this with the primary user of the courts and they have no concerns. No residents from the homes immediately adjacent to the site attended the site selection Open House or submitted comments. The typical concerns of residents REPORT NO.: EGD-07-07 Page 7 adjacent to skate parks are noise, loss of privacy, and fear that the park will lead to increased loitering and vandalism. These concerns can be mitigated somewhat with the construction of earth berms and tree planting on the south side of the skate park. Good access and visibility from the driveway on the north side of the skate park will reduce the potential for loitering or vandalism. The Courtice Community Centre is a multi-use facility for individuals and families. It has also been one of the frequent locations for the municipality’s mobile skate park. Its location and complementary facilities make it the recommended location for the proposed Courtice Skate Park. Attachments: Attachment #1 - Key Map Courtice Recreation Centre Attachment #2 - Key Map South Courtice Arena ^' w~s s DRAWN BY: E.L. DATE: December 20,2006 REPORT EGD-07 -07 ATTACHMENT NO.1 G:\Attachments\SkateBoard 1.mxd COURTICE KEY MAP lV W~S s DRAWN BY: E.L. DATE: December 20,2006 REPORT EGO-07 -07 ATTACHMENT NO.2 G:\Attachments\SkateBoard2.mxd