High Park Traffic and Circulation Improvements (High Park)

 The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April 29, 1998) from the Regional Director, West, Toronto Parks and Recreation:

 Purpose:

 To obtain authority to implement traffic and circulation improvements in High Park that will reduce non user through traffic, speeding vehicles and commuter parking, improve circulation and relieve congestion on neighbouring streets on Sundays and statutory holidays.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 1998 Capital Budget - High Park Improvements

 Recommendations:

 (1)That as a pilot project for 1998:

 (a)the section of Colborne Lodge Drive, south of West Road, to the existing washroom parking lot, be designated as one-way south, with stop signs at Hillside Road, the walkway and the turning circle, to reduce south bound commuter traffic, eliminate north bound commuter traffic, and reduce speeding vehicles in the park;

 (b)a turning circle be constructed at the location of the parking area near to the washrooms so that cars entering the park from the south can turn around and exit the park at the Queensway and be designated as part of the Colborne Lodge Drive roadway; and

 (c)the appropriate staff be authorized to post these conditions restricting traffic from June 1, 1998 through November 31, 1998.

 (2)That the existing Sunday and statutory holiday road closures be amended as a pilot project from June 1, 1998 through September 30, 1998, to allow vehicles access to the park by entering at Bloor Street and proceeding south one way along West Road to Grenadier Restaurant parking lot and north one way on Colborne Lodge Drive (as designated by hatching on Map 3 of By-law No. 148-69) access to the park subject to closures required for special event permits.

 (3)That the existing closure of portions of Spring Road, north of Centre Road to Colborne Lodge Drive, and south of Deer Pen Road to Spring Road, as indicated on Map 2 of By-law No. 148-69 be made permanent by terminating the portions' designation as park roadways.

 (4)That appropriate traffic calming measures be installed on Colborne Lodge Drive and West

Road;

 (5)That appropriate signage be posted to notify motorists of the traffic restrictions prior to entering the park at Bloor Street, the Queensway and High Park Boulevard; and

 (6)That authority be granted to introduce the necessary bills in Council to amend By-law No. 148-69, being, "A By-law to designate parts of High Park for use as park roadways and to name and regulate such parts." to implement recommendations (1) to (5), and to amend any other by-law as required to implement the posting of signs under recommendation (5).

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 The former City of Toronto Council at its meeting held on July 14, 1997 authorized the implementation of a traffic and circulation pilot project in High Park as set out in Clause 21 of Neighbourhoods Committee Report No. 10. The recommendations in this report reflect my review of the results of the pilot project.

 Comments:

 Restricting traffic flow on Colborne Lodge, to one-way south, south of West Road, to the existing washroom would allow access to all areas of the park by all users of the park; reduce the impact of commuter traffic within the park; reduce the speed of cars travelling within the park; allow access to Colborne Lodge and the Childrens= Garden; and maintain a safe environment within the park. This would involve a barrier at the Colborne Lodge washroom turn around to stop northbound traffic, three stop signs and an illuminated do not enter. This would require parking enforcement. The park would still be closed on Sundays and statutory holidays for special event permits.

 The revised Sunday and statutory road closures would allow access to facility users, the elderly, physically challenged and tourists, to special events, organized and passive recreation activities. Parking would be available in designated lots relieving congestion on neighbouring streets. There will be access to the Grenadier Cafe and Teahouse, two Concessions, the Dreamsite, allotment gardens, some picnic sites, Hillside Gardens, sports complexes, the zoo, Colborne Lodge and the Childrens= Garden. This will result in a reduction in the number of complaints received by the Parks and Recreation Division for denied access, elimination of the need to issue parking permits and the provision of better service to the public and tourists visiting High Park. This would involve Parking Enforcement. We also considered at the request of the High Park Citizens Advisory Committee, full Sunday and statutory holiday opening. Due to the additional staff requirements and budget restrictions, this recommendation could not proceed.

 The portions of Spring Creek Road, as designated by hatching on Map 2 of By-law No. 148-69, being, "A By-law to designate parts of High Park for use as park roadways and to name and regulate such parts.", has been closed on a temporary basis from April 24, 1995 to April 1, 1998. The north and south section closures have received no negative feedback and coincides with the Adventure Playground and future revisions to the south family area.

 Appropriate measures are being reviewed with Toronto Transportation for pedestrian crossings, stop signs, speed humps and road width narrowing.

 ANo through traffic@ signage is to be posted on the Queensway, in the areas designated by Toronto Transportation, to notify motorists prior to turning into High Park.

 Conclusion:

 On March 18, 1998, the High Park Citizens Advisory Committee supported recommendations (1) through (5). A public meeting was held on March 26, 1998, to review the 1997 pilot project and recommendations for 1998. To date the Division has received no negative feedback. Recommendation (6) authorizes the necessary amendments to By-law No. 148-69 and any other by-law as required to implement the traffic and circulation improvements.

 Contact:

 Name:Mario Zanetti, Regional Director - West

E-Mail:mzanetti@city.toronto.on.ca

Tel:392-1905

Fax:392-0845