HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-050-04
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REPORT
ENGINEERING SERVICES
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: Monday, November 1, 2004
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By-law #:
Report #: EGD-50-04 File #:
Subject:
PORT DARLINGTON WATERFRONT PARK - CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Council approve in principle the Conceptual Master Plan for Port Darlington
Waterfront Park near the mouth of Bowmanville Creek.
2. THAT staff proceed to obtain input from the public on the Conceptual Master Plan
3. THAT staff include the implementation of Phase 1 of the Port Darlington Waterfront
Park for consideration in the 2005 capital budget and forecast.
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Submitted by: A.S. Cannella, C.E.T.
Director of Engineering Services
v . Crome, MCIP, R.P.P.
Director of Planning Services
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Reviewed by: Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
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CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-0830
REPORT NO.: EGD-50-04
PAGE 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In July 2000, Council approved a Land Acquisition Strategy for the Municipality of
Clarington and subsequent updates in May of 2002 (PSD-044-02) and June of 2004
(PSD-093-04). A Financial Analysis was prepared to evaluate the financial viability and
funding sources for the Land Acquisition Strategy (Report PSD-043-02). The Financial
Analysis report concluded that acquisition needed to be scheduled over a 20 year
period. Since, that time a number of properties have been obtained and we now have
sufficient lands to begin some development of the Bowmanville waterfront for parkland.
Council has since June of 2004 approved the acquisition and/or expropriation of the
lands necessary to develop Phase 1 of the Port Darlington Waterfront Park on the East
Beach. To provide Council with a vision of what the final build out of the park
development would look like, Engineering Services has had a conceptual master plan
prepared for all of the lands identified in the Acquisition Strategy regardless of the land
acquisition timing priority. From this conceptual plan the Phase 1 development plans
can be developed for implementation in 2005 or 2006 subject to funding.
2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE WATERFRONT STRATEGY
The Clarington Waterfront Strategy (1993) was prepared to provide a long-term vision
for Clarington's waterfront. The Strategy identified, among other things, the lack of
active and passive/recreation opportunities along the waterfront. Much of the Lake
Ontario shoreline was impeded by large land owners, such as St. Marys Cement,
Cameco, Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, Wilmot Creek Retirement Community
and large agricultural operations.
To provide more public open space the Strategy identified three district parks, one in
each of the three Urban Areas, focal nodes and areas of interest along the waterfront.
District parks in Newcastle Village and Bowmanville were centered around the existing
harbours. The district park for Courtice was identified at the bottom of Courtice Road.
Two passive recreation areas were identified, one around the Wilmot Creek in
Newcastle and the other around Bowmanville Marsh in Bowmanville. The Waterfront
Trail, focal nodes, and areas of interest associated with the trail will be contained within
a greenway of linear parks along the waterfront. (See Attachment 1)
The recommendations within the strategy provided the basis for waterfront policies in
the Clarington Official Plan, adopted in 1996. In the Clarington Official Plan the district
parks are identified with District Park symbols, and the greenway as "Waterfront
Greenway" or in some instances "Environmental Protection".
REPORT NO.: EGD-50-04
PAGE 3
3.0 PROGRESS OF THE BOWMANVILLE WATERFRONT LAND ACQUISITION AND
PARK PLANS
3.1 Overview
In 1999, approximately 45 hectares (111 acres) of land in and adjacent to the
Bowmanville and Westside Marshes were secured by the Municipality of Clarington as a
result of negotiations with Blue Circle Cement (now St. Marys Cement) to save a portion
of the Westside Marsh. These lands were subsequently transferred to Central Lake
Ontario Conservation Authority. A management plan is being prepared jointly by the
Municipality and CLOCA to ensure the ecological functions of the marshes are not lost
as a result of future quarrying by St. Marys Cement. The plan will also provide
opportunities for passive recreational uses. The residents and Council were recently
invited on a tour in the summer of 2004 to view the works which are nearing completion.
The Municipality leases a portion of the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area from
CLOCA. A Conceptual Plan was prepared in 2000 which recommends improvements
to the boat launch, parking lot, Waterfront Trail and fish cleaning station. New play
areas and a lookout are also proposed. The improvements total $1.14 million dollars.
One third funding has been approved in the SuperBuild program. The implementation of
these improvements are contingent on receiving the balance of funds in the 2005
capital budget.
A District Park is designated at the mouth of the Bowmanville Creek for both the east
beach and west beach. The Port Darlington Harbour Company (PDHC) currently owns
the lands on both the east and west of Bowmanville Creek. The Municipality has been
in negotiations with PDHC for sometime. The PDHC lands on the East Beach are
included in the long-term acquisition strategy however at this time acquisition is not
crucial to the first phase of park development. In addition, accommodating marine
industry in Bowmanville Harbour is desirable from both economic and public interest
aspects (e.g. an active waterfront is desirable). The Municipality has been acquiring
lands on the south and north side of East Beach Road to provide for sufficient depth to
the park and ancillary facilities such as parking and washrooms, etc. As such, the
Municipality has prepared a design concept that can be phased in overtime and in
relation to which lands will ultimately be publicly accessible. In addition, funds should
be allocated in the capital budget to begin implementation such as grading, parking,
seating and some plantings.
3.2 Waterfront Trail
The Waterfront Trail is generally located within the Waterfront Greenway and links the
District Parks, focal nodes and other areas of interest together. The total length of the
trail is 31 kilometers (19 miles). Opportunities to move the trail off road and closer to the
water are sought through development of lands, or by other means such as leases and
licenses agreements.
For the "Waterfront Greenway", in the Clarington Official Plan the intention was to have
the Waterfront Trail integrated within the open space on the lake side of the roadway.
REPORT NO.: EGD-50-04
PAGE 4
3.3 Bowmanville/Westside Marshes Management Plan
CLOCA and the Municipality have been working on a Management Plan for the
Bowmanville and Westside Marshes since 2001; as part of this plan a report regarding
the dynamic beach and how it should be managed in the West Beach Area has been
prepared. The draft report recommended that "Due to the extreme severity of the
hazards (i.e. potential loss of life)" CLOCA and the Municipality continue with the long
term acquisition strategy of this area. In addition, the recreational activities
recommended for this West Beach and Bowmanville Marsh are passive in nature and
promote the restoration of the dune area along West Beach to maintain the barrier
between the lake and marsh.
3.4 Conceptual Master Plan for Port Darlington Waterfront Park
A Conceptual Master Plan has been prepared to provide a vIsion for the future
development of the waterfront in Port Darlington. The physical barrier of the
Bowmanville Creek divides the park into two distinct sides. Each side presents different
opportunities for park development.
The West Beach side contains the marsh and a sand beach with level access to the
waters edge. The East Beach side has a shoreline that is elevated from the waters edge
and existing uses such as the marina, condominiums, and Bobby C's restaurant.
The Conceptual Master Plan takes advantage of the physical features of each site to
create a district park that will provide a variety of recreational opportunities for residents
of Clarington and beyond.
3.4.1 East Beach Side (Attachment 2)
The east side of the creek would contain the active use areas of the park. It is proposed
that a large central gathering node be constructed near the waters edge at the south
extension of Port Darlington Road. This space would be used for special events such as
concerts in the park, fireworks displays, art exhibits, etc. A nautically themed children's
playground, water play area, washroom building, and concession stand are also
proposed for this portion of the park. Open green spaces would be provided for
picnicking or informal play. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail would pass through this
section of the park.
Initially when the Secondary Plan for Port Darlington was being developed (1992) it was
assumed that there would be adequate room south of the existing East Beach Road for
the district park development; however, detailed development of the park plan and an
examination of the existing and potential road alignments have yielded a much more
usable park space, that will accommodate the anticipated activities in the park by
shifting the road to the north.
REPORT NO.: EGD-50-04
PAGE 5
Because the surrounding land is higher than the lake, direct access to the waters edge
is limited on the east side of the creek. Walkways and waterfront lookouts would be
constructed parallel to the lake along the top of the bank. Steps down to a waters edge
platform would be constructed. A small beach at the west end would provide direct
access to the waters edge.
The architectural features throughout Port Darlington Waterfront Park, including
buildings, shelters, lights and site furniture would be designed to match the architectural
style of Victorian era Port Darlington. It was during this period that Port Darlington was
an active summer resort.
The activity and vitality of the east portion of the park would complement the existing
residential, commercial, and marina uses just north of the park. Clarington's Official
Plan includes a Village Commercial block along the south side of the Regional Water
Treatment plant. This block could be developed with shops, artisan's studios and
restaurants. The village commercial buildings would also screen the view of the
Regional Plant from the park and provide the opportunity to create rooftop patios
overlooking the lake.
3.4.2 West Beach Side (Attachment 3)
The proposed parkland on the west side of the Bowmanville Creek will be much more
passive in character and will complement the beaches and marshes that dominate the
landscape on the west side. The sand beach will be the main attraction of the west
beach portion of the park. The north edge of the west beach portion of the park will
include nature trails along and through the marsh as well as interpretive signage and
opportunities to launch non-motorized boats and canoes in the open water of the marsh.
A waterfront promenade and waterfront lookouts are proposed along the north edge of
the beach. Beach volleyball courts could be constructed between the beach and marsh.
The volleyball courts could be used for informal play or programmed tournaments.
Since the washrooms and playground on the east beach side are not easily accessible
to the west beach it is proposed that a washroom building and children's playground
also be constructed on the west beach side of the park. This area would also provide a
neighbourhood park function for residents.
The Bowmanville Creek is a barrier to pedestrians moving between the east and west
portions of the park. The number and size of boats entering and leaving the lake at the
mouth of the creek would make building a bridge at this location very difficult and
expensive. This master plan proposes a boardwalk that connects the west portion of
the park to the marsh trails on CLOCA's land. Pedestrians would follow the marsh trail
north and cross the creek at a proposed bridge to the Bowmanville Waterfront
Recreation Area that is scheduled to be built in 2005. A bridge at this location is not
currently part of the 2005 project. Including a bridge in the project would create a more
direct pedestrian connection between the east and west portion of Port Darlington
Waterfront Park and between the Bowmanville Waterfront Recreation Area and Port
Darlington Waterfront Park. Using a barge to transport people from the west beach to
the east beach as was done in the early 1900's is also an option.
REPORT NO.: EGD-50-04
PAGE 6
4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 The framework to create publicly accessible waterfront has been established in the
Clarington Waterfront Strategy, Clarington Official Plan and the Land Acquisition
Strategy. The financial analysis provided a timeframe for the acquisition of waterfront
lands and the financial means to acquire such lands. The acquisition of waterfront land
was identified by Council as a priority, the timeframes established in the various
strategies and studies have guided staff in their recommendations to Council and land
acquisitions. We are now at the point where some development of the Port Darlington
Waterfront Park is possible.
4.2 At this time it would be prudent for Council to approve in principal the Conceptual
Master Plan for Port Darlington Waterfront Park so that the first phase of development
can be carried out within a future context for further acquisitions and phases of
development. While it is desirable to have public input prior to Council endorsement of
a park master plan, staff is seeking Council endorsement at this time as the Masterplan
has an impact on private property and prior to meeting with the Port Darlington
Community Association.
4.3 The first phase of development for the district park is conceptual only and will have to
be detailed prior to construction. A cost estimate for the development of the detailed
design and construction will submitted for consideration in the 2005 Capital Budget. If
approved, the project could be started in 2005 or 2006.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 -
Attachment 2 -
Attachment 3 -
Map of Active and PassivelRecreational Areas in Clarington
East Beach Plan
West Beach Plan
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