Improvements to Florence Gell Park
(Ward 27, York Humber)
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the
Recommendation of the Budget Committee embodied in the following communication
(February 22, 1999) from the City Clerk:
Recommendations:
The Budget Committee on February 19, 1999, recommended to the Strategic Policies and
Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the report (January 15, 1999) from the
Manager, Parks and Recreation, West District, wherein it is recommended that:
(1)Parks staff install two (2) park benches and/or additional plantings in the park to
discourage cyclists from racing their bicycles through the park;
(2)staff install additional lighting in the park at a cost of $3,500.00 to deter youth from using
the back dark corners as a 'hangout'; and
(3)Parks staff review and install appropriate signage that would deter youth from being in
the park after 11:00 p.m.
Background:
The Budget Committee on February 19, 1999, had before it a report (February 3, 1999) from
the City Clerk advising that York Community Council on January 20, 1999, recommended to
the Budget Committee the adoption of the report (January 15, 1999) from the Manager, Parks
and Recreation, West District, wherein it is recommended that:
(1)Parks staff install two (2) park benches and/or additional plantings in the park to
discourage cyclists from racing their bicycles through the park;
(2)staff install additional lighting in the park at a cost of $3,500.00 to deter youth from using
the back dark corners as a 'hangout'; and
(3)parks staff review and install appropriate signage that would deter youth from being in
the park after 11:00 p.m.
(Report dated February 3, 1999, addressed to the
Budget Committee, from the City Clerk)
Recommendation:
The York Community Council on January 20, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee
the approval of the recommendations in the report dated January 15, 1999, from the Manager,
Parks and Recreation, West District.
The York Community Council reports, for the information of the Budget Committee, having
requested the Manager of Parks and Recreation, West District, York Civic Centre, to include
the amount of $40,000.00 on the list of capital items for the installation of a splash pad in the
FlorenceGellPark.
Background:
The York Community Council on January 20, 1999, had before it a report (January 15, 1999)
from the Manager, Parks and Recreation, West District, providing information on the lighting
in FlorenceGell Park and on the installation of a wading pool in the centre of the park; and
advising that additional lighting and the cost of plantings and benches would be charged to the
approved 1999Operating Budget, and that if a splash pad feature was installed in the park, the
cost of this capital improvement would be approximately $40,000.00; and recommending that:
(1)Parks staff install two (2) park benches and/or additional plantings in the park to
discourage cyclists from racing their bicycles through the park;
(2)staff install additional lighting in the park at a cost of $3,500.00 to deter youth from using
the back dark corners as a 'hangout'; and
(3)Parks staff review and install appropriate signage that would deter youth from being in
the park after 11:00 p.m.
(Report dated January 15, 1999, addressed to the Chair and Members,
York Community Council, from the Manager of Parks & Recreation, West District)
Purpose:
A communication was received by Councillor Frances Nunziata from the Warren Park
Ratepayers' Association requesting lighting in Florence Gell Park. In addition, they have
requested the installation of a wading pool in the centre of the park.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Status:
Additional lighting and cost of plantings and benches would be charged to the approved
1999Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)Parks staff install two (2) park benches and/or additional plantings in the park to
discourage cyclists from racing their bicycles through the park;
(2)staff install additional lighting in the park at a cost of $3,500.00 to deter youth from using
the back dark corners as a 'hangout'; and
(3)parks staff review and install appropriate signage that would deter youth from being in
the park after 11:00 p.m.
Comments:
Florence Gell Park was redeveloped in the Fall of 1993 at the cost of approximately
$120,000.00. The work in the park consisted of new concrete walkways, concrete unit, paved
sitting areas, lighting, drinking fountain, junior and senior play areas, as well as extensive tree
and shrub plantings.
In 1993 the community requested the installation of a splash pad in the park, but due to the
poor suitability of the site, size of park and large number of trees and shallow depth of
existing site drainage, this feature was not included in the redevelopment of the park.
If a splash pad feature was installed in Florence Gell Park, the cost of this capital
improvement would be approximately $40,000.00. As Florence Gell Park was redeveloped in
1993, there are numerous other parks that have been prioritized for redevelopment in the City
of Toronto capital 5-year plan.
Staff will install one (1) additional light standard in Florence Gell Park at the cost of
$3,500.00 that will illuminate the dark corner of the park that may deter youth from hanging
around the park late at night.
Appropriate signage will be posted that outline the noise by-law in the park that may eliminate
teens as identified by the local residents, from hanging around in the park after 11:00 p.m. If
youth are drinking in the park, the police should be notified so appropriate charges could be
laid.
Conclusions:
That appropriate signage be installed in Florence Gell Park and in the spring an additional
light standard and benches or shrubs be installed and planted to resolve all issues identified by
the Warren Park Ratepayers' Association.
Contact Name:
W.N. Kevin Bowser, Manager of Parks and Recreation, West District, Tel: 394-2487.
