In addition to community meetings and open houses, a number of “pop-up” consultations have been held in the Don Mills and Eglinton area. These Planners in Public Spaces (PiPS) events are a way to bring planners into the community to engage, one-on-one, about issues that matter to the public.
On September 2, 2017, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at Ontario Science Centre’s Community Day attended by thousands of people over the course of the day. From 11am to 3pm, City Planning staff sought feedback on city-wide planning issues and the emerging Streets, Parks, and Open Spaces Plan for the Don Mills and Eglinton area.
Participants who lived or worked in the area were asked to provide feedback on design choices being considered for key areas including: ravine connections, active transportation rail crossing, Don Mills Business Park, and streets in Flemingdon Park. Young families of diverse cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds comprised a majority of those engaged.
Summary of Feedback
The majority of participants responded positively to the changes being proposed to the Don Mills and Eglinton area through the Don Mills Crossing study. The following summarizes the feedback by key area/theme:
Active transportation rail crossing: Participants were supportive of improvements to the cycling and walking trails in the area. There were a number of comments related to the poor conditions of existing cycling infrastructure which made cyclists feel unsafe. There was almost unanimous support for the pedestrian and cycling bridge option to connect the Leaside Spur trail over the rail corridor.
Don Mills Employment Area: There was general support for improvements to Wynford Drive to support active transportation. Overall, participants preferred off-street bike lanes over dedicated on-street infrastructure. It was thought that fewer traffic lanes would increase congestion in the area, and that the cyclists would be safer off the street. There was also a suggestion to create a bi-directional lane on one side of Wynford Drive to mitigate the impact of cycling infrastructure on traffic lanes.
Ravine connections: Participants responded positively to all options presented for feedback, with naturalized trails being particularly popular. A number of cyclists mentioned that they used the trail behind the Ontario Science Centre to access the ravines. They responded positively to the planned improvements to that trail through the 10 Year Cycling Plan construction taking place in the community this summer.
Residential Streets: Wider sidewalks were seen as necessary to improve the residential street experience in Flemingdon Park. Participants also expressed a desire to see more landscaping along sidewalks to ‘green’ the area. For active pedestrian streets, participants noted tree planting, active uses, bike parking and street furniture as the most popular design elements to improve the public realm experience.
On August 12, 2017, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Aga Khan Park and Museum between 5:00pm and 8:30pm as part of Don Mills Crossing’s Phase 2 work program. During the event, feedback was sought on the emerging Streets, Parks, and Open Spaces Plan for the Don Mills and Eglinton area. Participants were asked to provide feedback on design choices being considered for key areas including: ravine connections, active transportation rail crossing, Don Mills Business Park, and streets in Flemingdon Park.
A majority of those engaged were between the ages of 25-64. The majority of participants were residents from the neighbouring community, although some were visitors from outside the region.
Summary of Feedback
Overall, participants were positive about the changes being proposed through the study for the Don Mills and Eglinton area. The following summarizes the feedback by key area/theme:
Active transportation rail crossing: All participants strongly supported the active transportation rail crossing which would connect the Leaside Spur Trail to the Don Valley and ET Seton Park south of Eglinton. A majority of participants indicated a preference for walking over cycling in the area. There were mixed preferences for an underpass option or pedestrian and cycling bridge, although a number commented on safety as being a key priority.
Don Mills Employment area: Participants continued to support on-street cycling infrastructure in the area. Local visitors to the Aga Khan Park and Museum expressed safety concerns crossing Wynford Drive from the TTC stop across the street from the Museum. They indicated a desire to see crosswalks along Wynford drive.
Ravine Connections: Overall, participants expressed a desire to see trails reflect the character of the ravine. Accordingly, naturalized trails were seen as the preferred design choice for ravine connections in the area.
Residential streets: There was general support for features such as wider sidewalks and traffic calming elements, including bump-outs, on quiet residential streets such as Ferrand Drive and Rochefort Drive. On active pedestrian streets such as Don Mills Road, proposed features including street furniture, wider sidewalks, landscaping, and active uses were strongly supported. Participants also discussed the importance of not having wide sidewalks in isolation, but which connect to destinations or places in the community. There was also concern expressed for sidewalk safety, ensuring good visibility for elderly pedestrians.
On August 2, 2017, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Flemingdon Park Library between 1pm and 4pm as part of Don Mills Crossing’s Phase 2 work program. During the event, feedback was sought on the emerging Streets, Parks, and Open Spaces Plan for the Don Mills and Eglinton area. Participants were asked to provide feedback on design choices being considered for key areas including: ravine connections, active transportation rail crossing, Don Mills Business Park, and streets in Flemingdon Park.
A majority of those engaged were between the ages of 25-64 and of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. There were also a number of children and young adults (aged 6-16) visiting the library who participated in the activities.
Summary of Feedback
Overall, there was positive feedback on the emerging Streets, Parks, and Open Spaces Plan proposed for the Don Mills and Eglinton area. The following summarizes the feedback by key area/theme.
Active transportation rail crossing: Several participants noted that although they cycle in the area, they do not always feel safe doing so. The active transportation connection was seen as a vital improvement to cycling infrastructure in the area. A majority indicated a preference for the underpass option, provided that safety considerations such as adequate lighting and visibility through to the other side were incorporated into the design.
Don Mills Employment area: A majority of participants indicated a desire to see on-street cycling infrastructure, such as separated bike lanes, along Wynford Drive.
Ravine Connections: Overall, there was strong support for additional ravine connections in the area. There was a preference to keep new trails naturalized, to maximize the ravine experience. Participants also indicated a desire to see improvements in the accessibility of existing trails.
Residential streets: Participants supported traffic calming design features such as curb bump-outs and bollards to improve the pedestrian and cycling experience along quiet residential streets. For active pedestrian streets such as Don Mills Road, participants strongly supported design features such as bike parking, wide sidewalks, active ground-plane uses, street furniture, and tree plantings.
On November 5, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Don Mills Superstore (825 Don Mills Road). We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
The Superstore is located on the North-East corner of Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East, and is well connected by public transit and major highways. A majority of those we spoke to were aged 25-64 and tended to arrive by their personal vehicle. Some were not from the area, but used the Superstore for their shopping needs, suggesting a broad reach of large-scale retail in the area. There were also a number of new residents, who said they moved to the area because it was more affordable than other parts of the City.
There were a number of favourite places in the neighbourhood. These included community assets such as the ravine system, parks and green space, community centres, shopping centres and cultural institutions such as the Aga Khan Museum. While participants indicated a great appreciation for these assets, they also indicated a need to connect them through improved bike and pedestrian paths. Given that most participants arrived by vehicle, we received a number of comments related to the traffic conditions along Eglinton Avenue and Don Mills Road. Other comments included the need for more retail options in the Wynford-Concorde area, the need for more playgrounds, and improvements to existing community facilities in the Flemingdon Park area.
On September 9, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Thorncliffe Bazaar in the heart of the Thorncliffe community at R.V. Burgess park. We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
The bazaar runs every Friday night from July to September. This event is always busy and draws a large crowd resulting in our staff talking to more than 80 people over the course of 4 hours. The majority of people we spoke to were children under the age of 10, youth and young families.
Given the level of activity in the park, we were not surprised to hear that RV Burgess Park was a majority of residents’ “Favourite Place in the Neighbourhood”. This was different than what we heard in Flemingdon Park, where residents preferred a facility- the Dennis Timbrell Resource Centre- rather than a park.
In terms of improvements, residents indicated a desire for affordable retail, which was previously provided by the Target in the East York Town Centre. Other concerns included a shortage of local jobs, the lack of cleanliness in common areas and the poor conditions of roads.
On August 25, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Flemingdon Park Market. We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
The pop-up at Flemingdon Park took place at the market, organized by the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee. The park is easily to accessible via public transit, and users tended to arrive by bus and on foot. The majority of those we spoke to were between the ages of 25-64. Though the market was cut short by rain we were able to speak with a number of residents and number of themes emerged.
Although Flemingdon Park was often cited as a ‘favourite place’ and is well used, lighting is an issue at night and in the evening, limiting use of the park due to safety concerns. Other areas of improvement mentioned include the need for more indoor and outdoor recreation spaces and the need for more playgrounds in the Wynford area.
On July 22, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘pop-up’ at the 150 Wynford Drive. We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
150 Wynford Drive is a retail plaza easily accessible by public transit though, users tended to arrive by car. The majority of those we spoke to were between the ages of 25-64. Some were unfamiliar with the area as they they arrive and depart the area by car and visit the area primarily for work. There were some consistent themes that emerged nonetheless. Residents and workers indicated a need for more retail options in the area, specifically more food options for lunch and a need for a grocery store nearby. The lack of playgrounds for children was cited repeatedly, with parents advising that they had to drive to the east (Edge Park) to access parks.
On July 22, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘pop-up’ at the 55 Wynford Heights Crescent. We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
The Pop-up at 55 Wynford Heights Crescent took place in the lobby of a residential high rise building. This building has easy to access via public transit, although users tend to arrive by car. The majority of those we spoke to were between the ages of 25-64. Residents indicated a need for more retail options in the area, specifically food and grocery options. The lack of a children’s playground was cited repeatedly, with parents advising that they had to drive to the east (Edge Park) to access parks. While open green space was often cited as favourite thing about the area, there is a need for more seating and shaded spaces in the green space to make it more usable. Another concern often cited was the steep grade at the entrance to the ravine system, causing accessibility issues particularly for seniors. The most frequently cited amenity enjoyed in the area was the East Don trail extending slightly north of Wynford Heights Crescent and Concord Place.
On July 19, 2016, the City Planning Division conducted a consultation ‘Pop-up’ at the Flemingdon Park Library. We asked participants to identify the locations in the area they most enjoyed, as well as those needing improvements.
The library is easily accessible by TTC, and is also a ten minute walk from the Flemingdon Park Community Centre and Angela James Arena. The majority of users were children between the ages of 6-14. Other users included adults using the library’s wi-fi or the printing services.
There were a number of consistent themes that came up during the day. Although the library and community centre were most frequently cited (across all age groups) as a “favourite place” in the neighbourhood, it was also the most frequently cited as a location needing improvements. Other areas for improvement included better bike infrastructure (especially around the Don Mills and Eglinton intersection), and a need for community safety and garbage cleanup in the areas between buildings.