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Home My WebLink AboutEGD-040-11 Claiftymn REPORT ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: December 12, 2011 Resolution#: By-law#: Report#: EGD-040-11 File#: Subject: JOSEPH ATKINSON PARKETTE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report EGD-040-11 be received; 2. THAT the grounds surrounding the southwest side of the Newcastle Library be named Joseph Atkinson Parkette; 3. THAT the grounds north of the library parking lot continue to be named Newcastle Memorial Park; and 4. THAT all interested parties listed in Report EGD-040-11 be advised of Council's decision. f Submitted by: i F ".. Reviewed by: `= A.S. Cannella, C.E.T. Franklin Wu, Director of Engineering Chief Administrative Officer Services ASC/PW/jo CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND At the October 31, 2011 GPA meeting Myno Van Dyke, Director of the Newcastle Village and District Historical Society appeared as a delegation regarding naming a portion of the grounds surrounding the Newcastle Library after Joseph Atkinson. At the November 7, 2011 Council meeting the following resolution was approved: THAT the delegation of Myno Van Dyke, regarding the renaming of Newcastle Memorial Park be received with thanks; and THAT the proposal of the renaming of Newcastle Memorial Park be referred to Staff for a report. 2. ANALYSIS A previous proposal to rename Newcastle Memorial Park after Joseph Atkinson was denied due to concerns from the Royal Canadian Legion and Clarington Museums and Achieves. The site once contained a Drill Shed and was used for military training. A second proposal to rename the grounds surrounding the Newcastle Hall after Joseph Atkinson was also denied after objections from some residents. This proposal differs from the original request in that only the grounds on the southwest side of the library are proposed to be renamed Joseph Atkinson Parkette. The area north of the library parking lot which contains the soccer field and playground would continue to be named Newcastle Memorial Park (Attachment 1). This proposal has been discussed and is supported by the Clarington Public Library Board, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178, and the Clarington Museums and Archives (Attachments 2, 3 and 4). REPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 PAGE 3 All parties recognize that a library expansion on the west side of the existing building and a reading garden to the south side of the building could occur in the future. The parkette would not limit the expansion to the library or the introduction of a reading garden. Should Council agree to name the grounds "Joseph Atkinson Parkette" the site. would require a new sign. It is recognized that any new signage will not block/interfere with Library Signage. No other improvements to the site are contemplated at this time. Should there be a need to make improvements to the parkette they would be referred to a future capital budget. 3. CONCURRENCE This report has been reviewed by Edith Hopkins, Director, Clarington Public Library who concurs with the recommendations. 4. CONCLUSION Joseph Atkinson was a Newcastle native who rose to national prominence in the newspaper industry and as a social activist. The Atkinson Foundation remains today and has granted more than $55 million since its inception. The grounds surrounding the Newcastle Library are a fitting location to name after Joseph Atkinson since his childhood home is located approximately 120m west of the proposed parkette. The Newcastle Village and District Historical Society will investigate relocating the Joseph Atkinson Provincial Heritage Plaque from the S/E corner of the Newcastle Community Hall grounds to the new parkette. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: _ Promoting economic development _ Maintaining financial stability _ Connecting Clarington _ Promoting green initiatives _ Investing in infrastructure X Showcasing our community _ Not in conformity with Strategic Plan REPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 PAGE 4 Staff Contact: Peter Windolf, Manager, Park Development Attachments: Attachment 1 - Plan showing location of proposed Joseph Atkinson Parkette Attachment 2 - Clarington Public Library Board letter Attachment 3 - Royal Canadian Legion letter Attachment 4 - Clarington Museums and Archives e-mail List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Myno Van Dyke, Director of the Newcastle Village and District Historical Society Gail Rickard, Chair Clarington Public Library Board Rick Saunders, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178 Martha Rutherford Conrad, Executive Director, Clarington Museums and Archives ATTACHMENT NO.A REPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 2 #V: cc o ? A J cb 4 N > W a- i I � �b a6 d6 Q � a6 ecd Q � �p U� 0 b d6 !.I N c Q co lj Z : 2 td � I f 6 � I b � pO I V>/ N L f c ED 1, J co CD ES Z i °0 co III ca co co t 1J/_� � c Kra Ave. (n ATTACHMENT NO.:2 REPORT NO,: EGD-040-11 Claringt®n Public Library Telephone:(905)623-7322 163 Church Street,Bowmanvllle Ontario,Canada L.1C 1T7 www.clarington-library.on.ca October 27, 2011 Myno Van Dyke, Director Newcastle Village & District Historical Society Box 15 Unit 3 20 King Avenue West Newcastle, ON LIB IL9 Dear Myno: Please be advised that at the October 26, 2011 Clarington Public Library Regular Board Meeting, the following motion was passed: THAT the Clarington Public Library Board support the Newcastle Village & District Historical Society's request to split and rename part of Memorial Park as the Joseph E. Atkinson Park/Parkette, provided the Royal Canadian Legion' Branch #178 continues its support and provided that this request does not encroach on current library signage or any future plans of library expansion". On behalf of the Clarington Public Library Board, I would,like to thank you for your time and for the excellent presentation highlighting Joseph B. Atkinson's family background and his contributions to the Newcastle community, Sincerely, C� AA I Gail Rickard, Chair Clarington Public Library Board ATTACHMENT N0.:3 01-UM. 1` ) EPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 rh0 ,6iy6 BOWMANVILLE (ONT. NO. 178) BRANCH BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3K8 Myno Van Dyke 20 Graham Street, Newcastle, Ont. LIB U7 Dear My no, I am writing this letter to confirm Branch#178 , of The Royal Canadian Legion agrees with the separation of memorial park in Newcastle, providing all permits required to do so are obtained and no by-laws have been breached. If you need any further information or clarification please dont hesitate to contact me. Sin e� Vur 74 >f Rick Saunders On behalf of the executive And Membership of Branch#178 �` .3 "They served till death! Why nbt we?" ATTACHMENT N0.:4 Windolf, Peter REPORT NO.: EGD-040-11 From: Martha Rutherford Conrad [claringtonmuseums @rogers.com] Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 12:07 PM To: Windolf, Peter Subject: RE: Joseph Atkinson Parkette Hi Peter I have no objections to this compromise as long as the history of Memorial Park remains intact. I would like to see the Municipality replace the sign for Memorial Park and to also recognize Millenium Park at the Town Hall as well. These historical markers are an important component of our history that need to be maintained in our community. Thank you Peter for all of your work on this issue. I know that our concerns certainly complicated matters and I do appreciate your support in hearing us out. Martha From: Windolf, Peter [mailto:pwindolf(Q?clarington.net] Sent: Monday, November 14, 20119:35 AM To: 'Administrator-Clarington Museums and Archives' Subject: Joseph Atkinson Parkette Hello Martha, at the Nov. 7 GPA Myno Van Dyke made a presentation to recommend that the area at the S/W corner of the Newcastle Library grounds be named Joseph Atkinson Parkette.The area north of the library would continue to be named Newcastle Memorial Park. In the summer I met on site with Myno, and representatives from the Legion and Library Board to discuss the proposal. We all agreed with the proposal. It would provide a location to honor Atkinson close to his boyhood home while still preserving the name Newcastle Memorial Park for the soccer field and playground area. Myno would investigate having the plaque moved to this location. Council has directed it to Engineering for a report. Do you have any comments or concerns that I should include in the report? Peter Windolf Manager, Park Development Engineering Services Department (905) 623-3379 ext. 2307 pwinclolf a,clarin ton.net i