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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-38-90DATE: TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res. # By -Law # GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION SEPTEMBER 17, 1990 REPORT •1 FILE #: SU&JECT: CONSERVATION PROPOSAL ( Bowmanville Senior Public School) RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended' that the General Purpose & Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:- 1. That Report No. CS -38 -90 be received; 2. That the request of John Veldhuis and students of the Bowmanville Senior Public School be implemented on the site of the former Bowmanville Memorial Arena; 3. That the ultimate use of the subject site be determined when Council finds a suitable public or municipal use for the site and that the site not be sold at this time; and 4. That John Veldhuis and the respective students of Bowmanville Senior Public School be advised of action taken by Council. 1.0 BACKGROUND: 1.1 At the May 28th meeting of Council a delegation was heard from teacher Mr. John Veldhuis and students from Bowmanville Senior Public School. They expressed their concerns for the environment and requested an opportunity to plan and develop ../2 9U/ REPORT CS -38 -90 - 2 - SEPTEMBER 17, 1990 a small park. Council directed that their proposal be referred to staff for a report. 2.0 REPORT: 2.1 Staff met with five interested students in mid June at their school to discuss a possible project. Students Mike Thompson, Crista BigCanoe, Diane Hogg, Kristy Hamilton and Krista Lloyd expressed their interest in a project and were invited to identify desirable criteria for the park. 2.2 The students suggested that the site be in Bowmanville and close to the Town core and their school as possible. They envision the site to be passive with a strong educational component which might feature a small parking lot, a paved pathway system circling around and through the park, a water feature, wooded area, gazebo, floral display, water fountain and arbores. The park would encourage the presence of wildlife such as birds and be used by the public for picnics, walking and enjoying the natural sanctity of the site. The children hope to erect a cairn and plaque to commemorate their school's involvement in the park. 3.0 POTENTIAL SITES FOR CONSIDERATION: 3.1 The prime criteria to locate the park in Bowmanville close to the core would assist the students in the frequency of visits, their involvement in the project and permit them to identify readily with the community's needs. This prime criteria has limited consideration to three possible sites; Soper Creek Park north end opposite the Bowmanville Zoo; Soper Creek Park south end between the Visual Arts Centre and Base Line Road and the former Bowmanville Memorial Arena site. 3.2 Soper Creek Park opposite the Bowmanville Zoo: Positive Considerations & Features: high visibility ../3 9 U- 8 REPORT CS -38 -90 - 3 - SEPTEMBER 17, 1990 existing water feature some existing mature trees and native fauna could create a strong focal point for Highway #2 and boost attendance for both the zoo and park Negative Considerations & Features: - site is too large for a possible project for the students - site is remote from the school requiring transportation for students - there is insufficient parking for the Zoo and creation of the park would compound the problem - visitors crossing Highway #2 would be in constant danger from vehicle traffic - Highway #2 will be widened in future years and the park frontage could be seriously affected - the Town has previously considered the site for park development by a service club and for the above reasons declined. 3.3 Soper Creek Park North of Base Line Road: Positive Considerations & Features: - existing water feature - mature trees - size of site is reasonable for the students to work with - good visibility from Base Line Road Negative Considerations & Features: area is subject to flooding which will damage park features flooding will cause erosion of the banks plus siltation on the portions of the flood plane where the movement of water slows ../4 REPORT CS -38 -90 - 4 - SEPTEMBER 17, 1990 the site is remote from the school and transportation would be required the site is visible as an entry point into an industrial area but is not highly visible to the community. 3.4 Former Bowmanville Memorial Arena Site: Positive Considerations & Features: close to the Bowmanville Senior Public School and students can walk to the site the site would provide parkland in the Town core which is otherwise completely deficient the site is a reasonable size for the students to undertake abuts Bowmanville Creek valley which has a water feature, native fauna and where pedestrian connection is possible Negative Consideration & Features: no natural water features on site - a decision has not been made to preserve the site for park purposes. 4.0 OBSERVATIONS: 4.1 The negative considerations for the two Soper Creek Park sites are significant to the point that further consideration is not suggested. The former Bowmanville Memorial Arena site is recommended to be the most suitable location. 4.2 For this project to proceed a landscape architect may be commissioned to work with staff and the students in developing a workable plan suitable for initiating in 1991. This will be addressed in the 1991 budget if necessary. ../5 REPORT CS -38 -90 - 5 - SEPTEMBER 17, 1990 5.0 COMMENTS: 5.1 The participating students, must to a great extent, depend upon the Town's resources to physically construct the park. Their participation best lies in the planning process and assisting in the installation of key elements. Staff is encouraged by the opportunity to work with and contribute to the character development of the youth of our community. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation ry to the Comm ittee Jose p /P. Caruana, Director La rence Kotseff Depament of Community Services Chief Ai istrative Officer JPC:JDC:sda �I�