Funding for Community Playground Upgrade Programme

 The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July 22, 1998) from the Acting Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Services, as amended by adding the words "commencing in 1999" to Recommendation (3) to read as follows:

"(3)Council approve the spending of each Ward's remaining allotment on playground upgrades within respective Wards, should no request come forward by the August 1 deadline, commencing in 1999."

 Purpose:

 Respond to the request to have staff prepare an overall policy incorporating the four existing Wards.

 Source of Funds:

 None available at this time.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

(1)Council approve the funding of $10,000.00 per Ward deposited into the 1999 Parks Development and Improvement budget;

 (2)Council approve the equal sharing of these funds between Wards should more than one playground per Ward be requested (see Comments for details); and

 (3)Council approve the spending of each Ward's remaining allotment on playground upgrades within respective Wards, should no request come forward by the August 1 deadline.

 Council Reference and Background History:

 On October 30, 1995, the former Etobicoke Council approved a policy on cost sharing for upgrades to playground equipment between the City and local communities. This policy is as follows:

(1)A written indication of interest from the community group be submitted to Administration Committee;

 (2)City must approve all designs and equipment must meet Canadian Standards Association guidelines;

(3)All equipment to become property of City of Etobicoke. Maintenance and liability to be assumed by the City of Etobicoke;

 (4)The City of Etobicoke will pay up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost to a maximum subsidy of $10,000.00 per park, subject to the availability of funding;

 (5)Community funds must be guaranteed prior to equipment being purchased; and

 (6)The City of Etobicoke will coordinate purchase and installation of all equipment.

 Comments:

 The former City of Etobicoke has previously funded this programme through a Capital Reserve Account Number 60007. The funds in this account are now depleted after seven very successful community playground upgrades.

 Since this programme was developed to encourage and promote community involvement for playground upgrades we feel the $10,000.00 per Ward per year is appropriate. Should one Ward have two requests, however, and the other Wards none for example, we suggest funding the second request equally among the other Wards to a maximum of $10,000.00 collectively. The remaining funds would be used specifically on playground upgrades in those Wards as prioritized by staff. We suggest an August 1 cut off date for requests which would allow staff time to process a second request in one Ward and also enable staff to apply the remaining funds in each Ward to upgrade their playgrounds before the end of the year.

 An example of how this can work is:

 -Ward 5 requests upgrade before August 1;

-Ward 2 requests upgrade before August 1;

-Ward 5 receives a second request before August 1;

-Wards 3 & 4 have no requests as of August 1.

 $5,000.00 from Ward 3 and $5,000.00 from Ward 4 are used to fund the second request for Ward 5. The remaining $5,000.00, in each of Wards 3 and 4, would be used specifically for playground upgrades in those Wards prior to year end.

 Conclusion;

 This system would allow for the spirit of fundraising and cost sharing to continue yet give Wards who have not come forward an opportunity to benefit from this programme as well. Our Parks and Recreation Department has previously partnered with seven local communities who have been able to significantly increase the quality, quantity and creativity of our children's playspaces through this programme. We hope this successful programme will continue.

 Contact Name:

 Paul G. Ronan, Toronto Parks and Recreation, Etobicoke Region

Tel: 394-8505; Fax 394-8935