Living Stones Project (Trinity-Niagara)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that six "Living Stones" be placed within the six traffic calming islands on Wellington Street between Bathurst Street and Tecumseth Street, subject to the application of the physical specifications and conditions set out in the following report (June 18, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To establish criteria that should be adopted in the event that the "Living Stones" public art proposal is approved for implementation within existing traffic calming islands on Wellington Street West between Bathurst Street and Niagara Street, as recommended by Councillors Joe Pantalone and Mario Silva in their May 3, 1999 letter.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

Should Council approve the installation "Living Stones" structure within the traffic calming islands on the subject portion of Wellington Street West as recommended by Councillors Joe Pantalone and Mario Silva in their letter of May 3, 1999, the physical specifications and conditions noted below be adopted:

(a)that all portions of the structure be placed entirely within the traffic calming island, no closer than 0.5 metre from the face of curb on the side of the island facing the travelled portion of the roadway;

(b)that the height of the structure (i.e. individual boulder or stack of boulders) not exceed 0.75 metres;

(c) that provision be made to ensure that the structure (i.e. individual boulder or stack of boulders) can be properly secured;

(d)that the visibility of the existing bollard(s) on the island (typically back of curb) which are in place to increase the visibility of the islands to passing motorists and denote the outer limits of the island to City street operations crews, not be compromised;

(e)that consideration be given to minimize the potential for the structure being climbed, played on, or vandalized;

(f) that the structure be placed in the field, under the supervision of City Works and Emergency Services staff;

(g)that the proponent be expected to maintain the structures in good and proper repair and that such maintenance is to be undertaken under the authority and supervision of the Commissioner Works and Emergency Services;

(h)that the City maintain the right to remove any or all of the structures for the express purpose of maintaining the roadway or in the interest of public safety; and

(i) that the placement of a 'Living Stones' structure on the traffic calming island containing a tree, west of Tecumseth Street, meet not only the above noted conditions but further be subject to conditions as set out by the City Forester.

Comments:

The "Living Stones" public art proposal by local artist Carl Skelton entails the placement of groups of granite boulders inset with reflectors, comprised of glass eyes, on the leading end of the traffic calming islands on Wellington Street West, between Bathurst Street and Niagara Street. Based on staff discussion with the proponent prior to the time the traffic calming plan for this street was adopted by the former City of Toronto Council in September 1997, this initiative is intended to changing the 'feel' of the street by drawing attention to these structures resulting in motorists slowing down thus complimenting the traffic calming.

This proposal can be incorporated into the modular pre-cast concrete curb traffic calming elements forming part of the traffic calming and bicycle lane plan on Wellington Street between Bathurst Street and Niagara Street (Drawing No. 421F-5398, dated June 1999) attached).

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Paul Sabo, P.Eng.

Senior Engineer

392-7775

Insert Table/Map No. 1

Living Stone

The Toronto Community Council also submits the following joint communication (May 3, 1999) from Councillors Pantalone and Silva:

Recommendation:

That six "Living Stones" be placed within the six traffic calming islands on Wellington Street between Bathurst and Tecumseth.

Background:

The former City of Toronto at its meeting of September 22 and 23, 1997 authorized traffic calming islands of varying size and shape to be placed in the public right-of-way on Wellington Street West between Bathurst and Niagara.

In 1996, during discussion of this proposal, Carl Skelton, a local artist, suggested that "Living Stones" be placed within the traffic calming islands. As conceived and constructed by Mr. Skelton, "Living Stones" are granite boulders of varying dimensions inset with reflectors comprised of glass eyes with retro-reflective pupils. Six of them are to be placed within the six traffic-calming structures. They will have a height of 30" above the roadbed and be placed 18" back from the leading edges and 12' back from the sides of the islands.

Mr. Skelton has designed and built the "Living Stones" and wishes to donate them to the City of Toronto. There are no costs to the City with respect to maintenance and placement.

The Public Art Commission has approved the installation of the "Living Stones" as a temporary work. The Niagara Neighbourhood Residents Association also supports the installation.