This site was last updated March 16, 2010

A Notice of Study Completion (PDF) was issued for this project on July 28, 2006. A copy of the Study Report for this project is available for public review at the following locations:
You will need the free Acrobat Reader to view PDF files.

• North York Central Library - 5120 Yonge Street
• Earl Bales Community Centre - 4169 Bathurst Street
• Toronto Reference Library - 789 Yonge Street
  

Background
The City of Toronto's Works and Emergency Services has initiated a study to identify the preferred method(s) for managing stormwater runoff in the Earl Bales Park drainage area.

Stormwater results from rainfall or snowmelt and soaks into the ground or is conveyed to downstream watercourses through a combination of overland flow routes (i.e. hard surfaces such as driveways, parking lots and roads) and underground storm sewers. It can impair the water quality of and erode downstream watercourses if left unmanaged.

The study
The City's Water Pollution Solution, which outlines a 25-Year Plan to provide stormwater management, has identified the Earl Bales Park as an area for further study.

Therefore the study will investigate and recommend methods to provide stormwater management in order to improve the water quality of the West Don River and reduce the erosion of streams in the ravines of Earl Bales Park. Methods for managing stormwater runoff include source, conveyance, and end-of-pipe controls involving upstream areas and Earl Bales Park.

The study is being undertaken in accordance with the requirements for Schedule 'B' projects under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (June 2000).

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process provides a decision-making framework that enables the requirements of the provincial Environmental Assessment Act to be met. The Municipal Class EA applies to public sector agencies that are undertaking common water, wastewater and road infrastructure projects. The Class EA process includes:

• identifying the problem, alternative solutions and designs;
• an analysis and evaluation of the alternatives and their impacts; and
• public participation; and study documentation.

The key features of the Class EA process for various project types (schedules) are shown below:

Public Open House #1
A public open house event was held on July 22, 2004. At the open house, background information on the problem and opportunities for managing stormwater were showcased. The display material found at the event is available below:

• A History of Earl Bales Park (PDF)
• The Earl Bales Park Stormwater Management Plan (PDF)
• Toronto’s Water Pollution Solution – Our 25-Year Plan (PDF)
• Finding Ways to Manage Stormwater (PDF)
• Carrying Pollutants to our Rivers (PDF)
• The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process (PDF)
• Our Next Steps (PDF)
• We Need Your Help and Input (PDF)
• What Residents Can Do (PDF)

Public Meeting #2
A public meeting was held on November 30, 2004 for interested persons to learn more about the proposed options for managing stormwater pollution in the Earl Bales Park Study area. A presentation was provided outlining a number of proposed options for stormwater management in Earl Bales Park and residents gathered into small groups to discuss their comments on each of the proposed options.

A copy of the presentation and map outlining the proposed locations for stormwater ponds is listed below:

• Presentation slides (PDF)
• Map of proposed sites (PDF)
• Q&A following Open House #2 (PDF)

Public Meeting #3
The public was invited to a public meeting and open house on Tuesday June 7, 2005 to learn about our recommended solution to the problems caused by stormwater runoff in Earl Bales Park. Our consultant also led a site walk of the areas of the park that are likely to be affected by our plans. The main feature of our recommended plan is to construct a large stormwater management pond in the valley of Earl Bales Park, in the old composting site, adjacent to the golf course. The pond would be designed to allow continued use of the area by pedestrians.

The display materials from the event, which have more details about the recommended design, is available below (please note that some of these displays refer back to displays from previous public meetings, which are found above on this website):

• What's happened in this project so far? (PDF)
• What's happened in this project so far? (continued) - review of input from last public meeting (PDF)
• What's happened since the last public meeting? (PDF)
• Proposed design of new stormwater pond (PDF)
• Sections of proposed pond (PDF)
• Stormwater Management Pond Plan (PDF)
• Next Steps (PDF)
• How can you provide input? (PDF)

Bulletins
Read more about the project in the Earl Bales Bulletin:

• November 2004 (PDF)

How to get more information
If you have any questions regarding this study or the Class EA Process, or would like to be placed on the mailing list for this study, please contact:

Public Consultation Unit
City of Toronto
Metro Hall, 19th Floor
55 John Street
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
Tel: 416-397-7777
Fax: 416-392-2974
TTY: 416-397-0831
Email: works_consultation@toronto.ca