User Safety - McGlashan Road - Walkway to Yonge Street -

North York Centre South

 The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report  (March 30, 1998) from the Commissioner of Transportation, North York Civic Centre subject to Recommendation (2) being amended to read Aa Local Councillor .....@ :

 Purpose:

 User safety on the public walkway located on the McGlashan Road road allowance between McGlashan Court and Yonge Street was referred to the North York Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

 Specifically, issues and concerns with respect to this walkway were submitted by Loretto Abbey Catholic High School and the York Mills Heights Ratepayers Association. The TAC has examined a variety of options for improvement suggested by these two parties.

 The purpose of this report is to address the status of the walkway between McGlashan Court and Yonge Street and provide an overview of the options considered.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The cost of the work recommended can be undertaken within the existing maintenance budget of the Parks and Recreation Department. No specific funding requirements are necessary.

 Recommendations:

 (1)the Parks and Recreation Department be directed to remove all ground level shrubbery and provide regular tree pruning as required; and

 (2)Local Councillors convene a meeting with representation from Loretto Abbey and the York Mill Heights Ratepayers Association to discuss the conclusions of this report, and to request Loretto Abbey to consider providing additional school security on the walkway during times when the walkway is used by its students.

 Background History:

 In order to determine the magnitude of the pedestrian safety issues raised, it was important to consult with the police for an understanding of the types of problems which were reported to them, and to identify, if any, the situations which could be considered preventable from the point of view of walkway design.

 On January 8, 1997, the Technical Advisory Committee conducted a special meeting with Sgt. Paul Cocksedge and P.C. John Leahy, Metropolitan Toronto Police, to address concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians on the walkway. It was indicated that over the years there have been a number of complaints and/or incidents reported to the police with respect to >indecent acts= occurring along the walkway. The subject walkway is located to the south of Loretto Abbey Catholic High School, is used regularly and frequently by a number of the students who attend this school and this unfortunately, has had a tendency to attract an undesirable element into the area.

 As an overview, the current design and condition of the walkway was discussed. The walkway is approximately 215metres in length, it slopes from McGlashan Court down to Yonge Street where it connects with the sidewalk on a stub end of the McGlashan Road roadway, which in turn provides access to the apartments known as Nos. 3900 and 4000 Yonge Street. The drop in elevation is approximately 30 metres. The length of the walkway combined with the topography of the area requires that the walkway meander with steps at various locations and a stairway at the lower end to connect with McGlashan Road.

 Based on experience with ACrime Prevention Through Environmental Design@ (CPTED) the police delegates provided a number of suggestions which could be considered and contributed in the discussions of the options suggested by Loretto Abbey and the ratepayers= association . The following items were discussed:

 i)add more lighting to the walkway, specifically oriented onto the northerly embankment. In addition, the use of shields or deflector devices could be installed on the back of the existing light standards to direct the light towards the walkway which could possibly resolve the concerns of the residents to the south of the walkway, with respect to the light overspill intruding into their windows;

 ii)plant thorn bushes on both sides of the walkway with rough aggregate(rocks) placed underneath. This would help deter loiterers by creating an uncomfortable environment;

 iii)widen the walkway from 1.5 to 3.0 metres to increase visibility and provide a sense of open space for pedestrians. Further, straightening the walkway; where possible, may eliminate blind spots;

 iv)provide better traction on the surface of the walkway by using coarse material. Also, to increase winter maintenance and use of more sand to prevent the walkway from becoming slippery. This would assist individuals in fleeing (running away) from possible confrontation;

v)lower the hand rail along the steps at the northerly part of the walkway. The height of the existing railing could create an entrapment area, making an attempt to escape difficult. Also, the hand rail should not be continuous, there should be breaks in the railing at regular intervals;

 vi)install an opaque fence or a privacy fence at the top of the northerly embankment which would continue along the easterly side of the school property. This would prevent access to the walkway from the rear of the school property;

 vii)Installation of surveillance cameras at 2 or 3 strategic locations; and

viii)installation of emergency telephones or alarm. The cameras and telephones could be connected to security in Loretto Abbey. 911 telephone calls are free.

 Discussion

 The suggestions were the subject of extensive debate. As a result of the meeting with the Police, additional relevant information was collected from the appropriate departments and agencies. The TAC has the following comments:

 i)North York Hydro advise that the 11 lights on the walkway exceed City lighting standards and these lights are more than adequate for this walkway. However, the light distribution patterns of the luminaries may be distorted by various trees on the north side. This may necessitate the pruning of several branches.

 Hydro advises that reflectors reduce the life span of bulbs and therefore are not recommended. The TAC concurs that when the bulbs burn out, replacement would have to be immediate or consequently this could become another detriment to safety . In many cases, North York Hydro has to rely on the public to inform them that specific light fixtures are in need of maintenance and this may not occur for a number of days.

ii)Parks and Recreation Department advise that thorn bushes should not be planted as in its experience, these bushes are too dangerous. Adding bushes may even make matters worse by providing additional hiding places. The Parks Department suggests that the area should be completely cleared of all of the low shrubs. This action has been discussed with the Police who have agreed that this is also an option and that at other locations where this has been done, considerable improvements have been experienced.

 The Parks and Recreation Department has previously pruned and thinned the trees and shrubbery along the McGlashan walkway to the greatest extent possible. Due to the topography however, pruning can only provide a limited benefit, it does not provide a clear view from one end of the walkway to the other. When necessary, the trees and shrubbery will be thinned on an as required basis.

 iii)The Engineering Division of the Public Works Department have advised of the cost to widen the existing walkway from 1.5 metres to 3.0 metres.

 Estimated cost for 206 metres$14, 800.00.

 The present width of the walkway is 1.5 metres which is to City standards. The removal of all shrubbery is an option which would create an open environment and may discourage prowlers. Therefore the widening should not be considered necessary.

 With respect to the straightening of the walkway, this is only partially possible. Sight line improvements can be made, albeit with the use of retaining walls. However, the removal of all shrubbery would improve sight lines. Any further straightening would be prohibitively expensive.

 Estimated cost for straightening (110 m.)$76,000.00.

 iv)The walkway is constructed with interlocking brick with a relatively rough surface. Winter maintenance is regular providing safety under icy conditions. It would be difficult to prepare a rougher and safe walking surface.

 v)Engineering Division staff advise that a modest lowering of the handrail would be expensive and further, lowering would actually create a hazard from what should be a safety feature. If a widening/straightening of the walkway is undertaken, then there would be an additional cost for relocation of the handrail.

 Estimated cost for relocating rail $19,000.00.

vi)It is not the City's practice to install privacy fences along walkways due to ongoing liability and maintenance costs. In addition, such a fence would create an entrapment area. However, this has been considered along with the addition of a chain link fence.

 Installation of a (wood privacy) fence along the northerly limit (embankment) of the walkway ROW

 Estimated cost of 205 metres$14,300.00.

 Installation of a (chain link) fence along the rear (easterly) property line of Loretto Abbey.

 Estimated cost for 271 metres $14,400.00.

 vii)Surveillance Cameras

 Existing wooden light poles would be used to mount cameras and string video cable, separate from existing power cabling. Cameras would be powered from the monitoring location. If installed, there would be one camera at each end of the walkway and two at the dogleg, one looking back to each end, allowing overlap and maintaining depth of field (focus).

 The installation of cameras would require ongoing observation by a security person (i.e.. Loretto Abbey).

 Quote (KM Video)$13,977.00

 viii)Telephone (security company)

 An emergency telephone would connect via a standard telephone line and it would be possible to gain access through the nearby school (Loretto Abbey) or some other establishment. No other power is provided.

 The costs, strictly for the installation of a telephone, are as follows:

 free-standing telephone $2663.00

(or) flush-mount phone $ 963.00

optional blue lamp always on, strobe when in use$ 794.00

 The installation of a telephone could encourage pranks, vandalism and would require ongoing upkeep (i.e. Loretto Abbey) and probably be the subject of ongoing maintenance.

 The estimated cost for both the telephone and surveillance camera is for the hardware and installation only. If either option was to be incorporated , it would require additional manpower to monitor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cost for this service is unknown at this time as we do not have a candidate host to take on such responsibility. The installation of either the telephone and surveillance camera may give a false sense of security and in the event of an incident, liability issues may arise. It could also set an unwarranted precedent.

 Site Investigations

 Supplementary site investigations have been, and will continue to be undertaken at various times of the year to determine conditions relating to growth of foliage in the context of the safety of the walkway. Caution signs are erected at either end of the walkway, alerting Loretto Abbey students not to travel the walkway alone and to use at own risk.

 Pedestrian Count

 A pedestrian count conducted on the walkway between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. identified total of 486 pedestrians trips, the majority of whom were students from Loretto Abbey.

 Options

 In the course of our investigations, there were only a limited number of options which could be realistically implemented without changing existing standards for walkways and setting a precedent for other public facilities. With some of these improvements, the perceived benefit cannot be guaranteed. The options available are:

1.Close the walkway and sell surplus land. In terms of public liability, this may be the most appropriate option however, the walkway is well used and should it be closed, then Loretto Abbey Catholic High School and the surrounding community must become involved.

 2.Additional Police patrols. We have been advised that due to the history of reports which the police have on file, police patrols have been increased and are regular. It would be difficult to further increase police presence in the area.

 3.Remove all ground level shrubbery which may provide hiding places forthwith. As with any action, there is an inherent cost, and with this option, the cost is that of the aesthetics of the walkway. However, there is no question that safety comes first when providing a service to the public and therefore this option is being supported by the TAC.

 While the closure of the walkway would reduce the potential for dangerous encounters on public facilities in this area, it should be noted that when compared to other walkways throughout North York, this walkway is in relatively good condition and it functions as a convenience for the community at large. The amenities located at Yonge Street such as buses and the subway generate pedestrian use. It appears that the sidewalk system on Wilson Avenue and Yonge Boulevard is not a reasonable alternate pedestrian route should this walkway be closed and therefore, the closure cannot be accepted as a viable option. Staff in conjunction with the Ward Local Councillors, could meet with representatives of Loretto Abbey and the adjacent ratepayer associations to discuss the conclusions of this report and request Loretto Abbey to assist in providing additional security on the walkway during times when the walkway is used by its students.

 Conclusion

 Throughout the City, walkways have been provided to satisfy community needs and have been constructed to certain municipal standards. The McGlashan Road walkway meets those standards in every regard, but it is unfortunate that a certain element of society is attracted to the area and in doing so, has brought safety as a concern to a public facility.

 The topography and location of the McGlashan Road road allowance present difficulties in providing additional safety in the walkway by construction design. The length of the walkway itself is problematic because once at midpoint, the distance to either McGlashan Court or Yonge Street is significant, however, efforts have been made to reduce the blind spots where possible. Again, due to the topography, the walkway cannot be straightened to provide a clear view from one end to the other. Options for improvement to this walkway are limited.

 Contact Name:

 Colin Couper, Director of Transportation Planning,

Works and Emergency Services, Transportation, North York Office.

Telephone 395- 7470, Fax 395-7482, E-mail cwcouper@city.north-york.on.ca.

 ----------

 Councillor Feldman, North York Spadina, declared his interest in the foregoing matter in that he resides in the immediate vicinity of the subject walkway.