(Report dated June 1, 1998, addressed to the Chair and Members, Urban Environment and Development, from Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.)

SUBJECT:Recreational Use of Hydro Corridors

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to provide further information on the potential for recreational uses in the Hydro Corridors, and relevant economic strategies to achieve an enhanced level of use of both active, and surplus Hydro Corridors.

Funding Implications:

Not applicable at this time.

Recommendations:

1. That this report be received for information of Committee and Council.

Discussion:

All former municipalities within Toronto make use of Hydro Corridors for recreational purposes. It is clear that there is great potential within the Hydro Corridor system for expansion of the current uses to satisfy growing recreational requirements. Current recreational uses of active Hydro corridors are diverse and include recreational and linear trail systems, garden allotments, parking for recreational facilities as well as a range of passive open space uses, which would include storm water and local environmental management features. In some cases, active recreation areas and sports fields are also accommodated on Hydro Corridor lands, but this is a very small percentage of use.

The potential uses of surplus Hydro Corridors are equally attractive, but can also provide the added benefit of more active uses to address shortages of active parkland.

Ontario Hydro is disposing of many surplus corridors in the open marketplace and there are a number of mechanisms whereby these lands could be used for recreational purposes. These include:

a)Acquisition: The entire surplus corridor, or selected sections could be purchased for use by the City as active or passive open space. Although desirable, the purchase of major portions of the surplus Hydro Corridor system would not be practical from a financial standpoint in that our parkland acquisition funds are limited and are currently focused on achieving key objectives in parkland and trail linkages, satisfying current deficiencies and purchasing land for facility development.

b)Parkland Dedication: Through parkland dedication, the development process itself does provide the opportunity for acquisition and development of smaller portions of properties for specific purposes and in limited quantities. Although this will assist in addressing specific deficiencies and provide open space for new residents of these developments, they will not have a significant impact on the overall parks and open space system

c)Public/Private Partnerships: If a suitable opportunity for involvement by the City could be achieved, a public/private partnership in the development of Hydro lands is possible and could be focused on achieving specific facility development objectives or to satisfy other local recreational needs. These would have to be addressed on a case by case basis.

These scenarios would have to be governed by budget considerations and should be further evaluated in the context of other economic development and assessment issues in specific development scenarios.

Conclusion

It is clear that the City benefits from current uses of Hydro lands, and that there is the potential for additional Parks and Recreational needs to be addressed on existing and surplus Hydro lands. However, the costs of acquisition of large tracts of these surplus Hydro corridors is likely prohibitive. The objectives of the City would be advanced by focusing on selective acquisition, potential public/private partnerships and dedication of lands through the development process.

Contact:

Tom Tusek, Parks and Recreation, Scarborough Office, 396-7377

John Macintyre, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Metro Hall, 397-4451