STAFF REPORT

January 31, 2000

To: Economic Development and Parks Committee

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: Donation of Park to Commemorate the Victims of the Irish Famine

Downtown

Purpose:

This report is to lay out the conditions whereby the Irish Community in Toronto will donate and dedicate a waterfront park area to commemorate the victims of the Irish Famine.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The provisions of the donation include sufficient funds to develop the park area, and to provide an ongoing legacy for its maintenance.

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Economic Development and Parks Committee recommend to Council that approval in principle be given to accept the donation by the Canadian Irish Community of park improvements and a legacy maintenance fund to commemorate the victims of the Irish Famine;

(2) the final location of the waterfront park area, the proposed name of the park area and the detailed design and implementation schedule, including the results of the historical and heritage significance of the Irish Famine Victims who relocated to Toronto, be the subject of a further report to the Toronto Community Council; and

(3) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

The Irish Famine occurred from 1847 to 1850 and resulted in a mass exodus from Ireland by hundreds of thousands of individuals. While the majority of these refugees relocated to a range of American Cities, an approximate 100,000 located in Canada. The Irish Community in Canada has been working to identify a suitable way to commemorate the suffering of their relatives and has approached the Parks and Recreation Division with an innovative and appropriate proposal.

The background proposal is attached. In brief, it proposes to locate a series of life-size sculptures depicting the hardship of the Irish Famine, and in particular, to commemorate the arrival of Irish refugees in Toronto by water. The sculptures will be displayed in a contemplative setting in a landscaped area adjacent to the water, but not directly located on the busy section of the waterfront trail. A number of potential site locations are being inves tigated, and a community consultation process will be included in the final site selection process.

The uniqueness of this proposal is the fact that it mirrors a similar display on the waterfront in the City of Dublin, Ireland, that depicts the departure of individuals fleeing the hardship of the famine and looking for a new start in North America. The proposal includes real time video linkages and high quality display materials.

Funding for the development, design, supply, installation and construction of the park area is to be donated by the Irish Canadian Community. Further, the proponents have indicated that a maintenance legacy fund will also be established to ensure that the maintenance and operation of the garden area is not a burden on the City of Toronto.

Comments:

Although there are several details still to be worked out, staff support the general concept of this park dedication for this purpose and believe that it will provide a lasting testimate to an important historical event. Further details on the specific location and a proposal to name the park area will be the subject of a further report to the Toronto Community Council. This will include a background review by the Heritage Staff on the historical importance and impact as outlined in the Park Naming Policy. Should Council support this approach, it is expected that the fundraising initiative would be launched during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day celebration in March 2000.

Conclusions:

This proposal is well thought out and an appropriate way to recognize the suffering of the Irish People during the Famine. The innovative nature of the proposal and the total commitment by the proponents to raise all of the required funds, including a maintenance reserve

fund is a prudent and effective approach. The remaining details of the proposal will be reported out in the near future to the Toronto Community Council.

Contact:

John A. Macintyre,

Acting General Manager, Parks and Recreation Division

Phone: 397-4451

Fax: 392-8565

jmacint@toronto.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 - Ireland Park - A Proposal to Establish An Irish Park on Toronto's Waterfront