Project Voting & Implementation
Over the entire three-year pilot, residents voted for 37 projects worth a total of $1,870,000.
- Oakridge: 11 projects worth $625,000
- Rustic: 12 projects worth $630,000
- Ward 33: 14 projects $615,000
Residents shared ideas at local meetings, online and at community events, and ideas were then reviewed by City staff for eligibility.
To be eligible for consideration for the Participatory Budget ballot, ideas had to be:
- located on City-owned property
- a capital project (that means “a thing,” not operating funding for staffing or programs)
- located in one of the pilot areas
- reviewed by the City and determined to be:
- able to be built within 18 months of the vote
- $250,000 or under
- technically feasible and/or best funded through the pilot project rather than through another program at the City.
After City staff identified which ideas were eligible for possible funding, residents in each pilot area selected up to 10 ideas for their PB ballot.
Any pilot-area resident over the age of 14 could vote for up to three projects on the ballot, even if they were not a Canadian citizen or registered for City, provincial or federal elections.
To vote for a project, participants filled in a circle on the ballot next to the title of the project(s) they liked. They did not rank their votes – in other words they did not put a 1, 2 or 3 beside their choices to indicate which project they liked more than another.
City staff counted the number of votes cast for each project. The project with the most votes was declared the winner, and the cost of that project was deducted from the available funds. The next most popular project that could be funded with any remaining dollars was then selected, and if there were any funds left, the next most popular project that could be fully funded with the remaining funds was selected.
No ideas were lost! The projects on the ballot that are not chosen, and all of the ideas suggested at meetings and online, are shared with the local City Councillor and appropriate City division (such as Parks Forestry and Recreation or Transportation Services) so they can consider them for future funding.
Pilot Project Voting Results & Project Status Information by Neighbourhood
Oakridge
Oakridge Voting Results & Project Status
2015
Total Oakridge Ballots: 72
Total Oakridge Votes: 186 (residents could choose up to 3 projects on their ballot)
Available funds: $150,000
| Oakridge Park Lighting Improvements (50 votes)
Six more light posts will be installed in the North part of the park to help people feel safer when enjoying the park in the evening. |
$90,000 |
| Prairie Drive Park Improvement Package (20 votes)
To improve Prairie Drive Park and make it more welcoming, the existing broken drinking fountain will be replaced by a water bottle filling station, three new light posts will be added so that the park can be enjoyed in the evening, as well as fitness benches to encourage people to get more active. |
$60,000 |
| Total Cost | $150,000 |
The following projects were not selected in 2015, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2016
Total Oakridge ballots: 75
Total Oakridge votes: 206
Available funds: $250,000
| Performance stage in Oakridge Park (36 votes)
A covered performance space for community events and art programs. Space is limited in Oakridge Park so its location would be based on considerations such as available lighting and distance from homes due to noise. |
$75,000 |
| Mural on Pharmacy Ave underpass (36 votes)
A painted mural would beautify space and images can reflect cultures and history of local area to create pride, neighbourhood connections and inspiration. The exact location and images on mural would be determined through a community consultation coordinated by Street Art Toronto |
$90,000 |
| Walking/running path in local park (30 votes)
Rubberized path in a park would encourage outdoor physical activity. The location and details would be determined in consultation with the community. |
$75,000 |
| Upgrade Prairie Drive Park playground (19 votes)
Replace one of the existing swings with an accessible swing for children with limited mobility |
$10,000 |
| Total cost: | $250,000 |
The following projects were not selected in 2016, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2017
Total ballots: 45
Total votes: 136
| Update lighting in Madelaine Park (31 votes)
Update existing poles and lights with brighter, more energy-efficient LED lights. |
$45,000 |
| New junior playground structure at Madelaine Park (29 votes)
New structure and rubberized ground surface to replace north side play equipment. |
$100,000 |
| Water bottle-filling station at Oakridge Park (28 votes)
New station installed near playground. |
$20,000 |
| Improve pathway at Madelaine Park (24 votes)
Replace and widen existing pathway to improve access and safety. |
$50,000 |
| Water bottle-filling station at Prairie Drive Park (15 votes)
New station mounted to wall near playground.
|
$10,000 |
| Total cost: | $225,000 |
The following project was not selected in 2017, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
Rustic
Rustic Voting Results & Project Status
2015
Total Rustic Ballots: 74
Total Rustic Votes: 155 (Residents could select three projects from their ballot)
Available funds: $150,000
| Rustic Park Lighting Improvements (59 votes)
Four new light posts and electrical hookup for potential future lighting will be installed in the park to help people feel safer when enjoying the park in the evening. |
$75,000 |
| Shade structure for Maple Leaf Park (44 votes)
A new shade structure with benches near the playground will give people a place to sit and enjoy the park on a hot day. |
$75,000 |
| Total Cost | $150,000 |
The following projects were not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2016
| Total Rustic ballots: 52
Total Rustic votes: 150 Available Funds: $250,000 |
|
| New water bottle-filling stations in Falstaff Community Centre and Rustic and Maple Leaf Parks (29 votes)
Replace existing water fountains with water bottle-filling stations. |
$20,000 |
| Movie wall in Maple Leaf Park (28 votes)
To support public events and movie showings in the park for local residents of all ages. |
$35,000 |
| New lighting in Maple Leaf Park (19 votes)
Add 4-5 light posts to increase safety. |
$75,000 |
| Ping pong table in Rustic Park (17 votes)
Outdoor concrete ping pong table to east/northeast of playground to promote fun and physical activity. |
$10,000 |
| Gazebo in Rustic Park (16 votes)
Shaded gathering place with tables and seating to east/northeast of playground. |
$75,000 |
| Chess tables in Rustic Park (13 votes)
Two outdoor chess tables and seating to east/northeast of playground. |
$20,000 |
| Total cost: | $235,000 |
The following projects were not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2017
| Total ballots: 53
Total votes: 149 Available Funds: $250,000 |
|
| Exercise park in Maple Leaf Park (41 votes)
Outdoor fitness park for all ages. |
$75,000 |
| Lights around Maple Leaf Park reservoir (34 votes)
Three or four new light posts around reservoir. Locations to be determined. |
$50,000 |
| Walking path around Maple Leaf Park reservoir (24 votes)
Gravel walking path around reservoir. |
$100,000 |
| Chess tables in Maple Leaf Park (10 votes)
Two concrete chess tables and seating. |
$20,000 |
| Total cost: | $245,000 |
The following projects were not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
Ward 33
Ward 33 Voting Results & Project Status
2015
| Total Ward 33 ballots: 384
Total Ward 33 votes: 837 Funds Available: $150,000 |
|
| Brian Village Gateway (200 votes)
New gateway on the northwest side of Brian Village Drive at Sheppard Avenue East will include seating, and new curved planters for landscaping. |
$50,000 |
| Don Valley Fitness Park (200 votes)
Outdoor fitness equipment will be added in Bellbury Park. |
$70,000 |
| Bicycle Lockers around Don Mills Station (148 votes)
Lockers will be added near Don Mill Subway station to create a secure place to lock bikes and make it easier for people to include physical activity in their travel. |
$15,000 |
| TOTAL COST | $135,000 |
The following projects were not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2016
| Total Ward 33 ballots: 653
Total Ward 33 votes: 1,959 (residents could select three projects on their ballot) Funds Available: $250,000 |
|
| Ward 33 Butterfly Garden (349 votes)
Naturalized butterfly garden on northeast corner of Buchan Court and Sheppard Avenue East. |
$75,000 |
| Fitness track in Linus Park (226 votes)
Rubberized or gravel track for running and jogging. |
$100,000 |
| Improve pedestrian safety and accessibility around Bellbury and Lescon Parks (161 votes)
Add curb cuts and signage where paths meet streets. |
$20,000 |
| New water bottle-filling stations (159 votes)
Replace 2-3 existing water fountains in parks with water bottle-filling stations. Locations to be determined. |
$20,000 |
| Ping pong table in Bellbury Park (122 votes)
Outdoor concrete ping pong table to encourage fun and physical activity. |
$10,000 |
| New benches in Parkway Forest Park (88 votes)
Add 4-5 new benches for seating. |
$20,000 |
| TOTAL COST | $245,000 |
The following projects were not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
2017
| Total ballots: 277
Total votes: 722 Funds Available: $250,000 |
|
| Exercise park in Parkway Forest Park (203 votes)
Outdoor fitness park for all ages. |
$75,000 |
| Seniors exercise park in Godstone Park (171 votes)
Outdoor fitness park for all ages, with focus on equipment to help seniors stay active. |
$50,000 |
| Pleasantview Park improvements (103 votes)
Three new benches for seating, and re-painting of playground. |
$20,000 |
| Shawnee Park recreation improvements (92 votes)
A small sports pad for ball hockey/hopscotch/rollerblading, a “bench fit circuit” with 7-8 fitness benches, and add pickleball to one or more tennis courts. |
$75,000 |
| Shawnee Park accessibility improvements (83 votes)
Curb cuts and path connection at Shawnee Circle at Micmac Crescent, near playground. |
$15,000 |
| TOTAL COST | $235,000 |
The following project was not selected, based on number of votes and/or available funds:
|
Toronto’s Participatory Budgeting in Action
