Parks & Recreation
Telephone (905) 468-3266
Facsimile (905) 468-2959
1593 Four Mile Creek Road
P.O. Box 190
Virgil, Ontario
L0S 1T0
Submitted on:
June 27, 2011
Report:
RC-11-015
Report To:
Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Subject:
Christmas Decoration Program
1. RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended
1.1 That the Town discontinue the single trees on poles in Virgil,
St. Davids and Queenston and in lieu of those trees decorate one "community tree" in each of the three communities in the 2011 - 2012 season.
1.2 That the Town continue the same Christmas decoration program in
the Heritage District as last year by funding the Chamber of
Commerce for the lighting of the boulevard trees in the 2011 - 2012 Christmas season.
1.3 That the Town in the 2012 - 2013 Christmas decoration season test
the effectiveness of side mounted wreaths by installing 7 wreaths on Niagara Stone Road in Virgil and if effective, and if funds are
available expand the program to other areas in future years
1.4 That the Parks & Recreation Department solicit feedback for the
2012 - 2013 Christmas decoration season to see if there is any desire within the Heritage District to change to either natural materials or mounted wreaths.
2. PURPOSE / PROPOSAL
A report was requested at a previous Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting to review the Town’s present Christmas Decoration Program and consider possible changes.
3. BACKGROUND
The Town has had some type of Christmas decoration program on Queen Street since the mid to late sixties which was originally handled by NOTL Hydro. For many years dating back to the late 70’s, the Town’s Parks & Recreation Department placed 4 to 5 ft Scotch pines on poles on Queen Street and the trees were illuminated by approximately 20, 40 watt coloured bulbs. In 1990, Virgil was added to the program and 9 trees were illuminated. St. Davids was added to the program in 1999 and Queenston in 2000, with 10 trees in each location.
In 2003, the Chamber of Commerce hired a firm to place white mini lights in a number of the boulevard trees on Queen Street. As it appeared to be impractical to have both the Town placing lit Christmas trees on the poles and the Chamber lighting the boulevard trees, it was decided in 2004 that the Town would contribute $2,400 to the Chamber of Commerce to decorate boulevard trees in lieu of placing trees on the Queen Street poles. This amount was given to the Chamber as it was the approximate cost of the Town’s involvement previously on Queen Street. In the year 2005, NOTL Hydro donated LED lights to the Chamber of Commerce for the Queen Street trees and to the Town for the trees in Virgil, St. Davids and Queenston. These first generation lights greatly decreased the electrical costs, however, the “white lights” manufactured at that time were blue in appearance and numerous complaints were received saying they were gloomy, cold and did not produce a festive look.
The lights were changed to a true white light in 2008 and have been used since this time.
For the 2010 - 2011 season, the Christmas and seasonal displays consisted of the following:
Heritage District
The Chamber of Commerce were responsible for the installation and maintenance of lights on boulevard trees on Queen and Picton streets in the Heritage Business District of the Old Town and they were given $2400 to cover lights, installation, removal and hydro expenses . The Chamber installed a large tree with lights on the north west side of the Cenotaph. The Chamber engaged local garden centres and florists to decorate three heritage style poles on Queen and Picton streets, as has been the case in the past. These poles are located a) at the North West end of the Picton street island closest to King street b) between the Court House and the Christmas Store adjacent to the entrance to the Chamber of Commerce and c) in front of the post office. The Parks & Recreation Department installed approximately 35 strings of large coloured lights in a large Colorado Blue Spruce located adjacent to the wading pool pump building in Simcoe Park. The Parks & Recreation Department also decorated planters at the intersection of Regent and Queen, Victoria and Queen, surrounding the Cenotaph, on the North West side of the Cenotaph, and on either side of the front steps of the Court House with plant materials.
Challenges
The challenges presently in the Heritage District are as follows…..
●Boulevard trees are different heights and shapes, therefore, there is no consistency with the way the lights can be put onto the trees.
●Wires are often hanging down and in some cases become unplugged.
●There is not a consistent source of power, therefore, some trees are plugged into poles, others into businesses and residential properties on Queen Street.
●In daylight hours, the wires are more prominent than lights.
●Sections of the lights burn out leaving voids in the trees.
●Businesses are usually closed when the lights are on and the present arrangement offers very little during the daylight hours.
Virgil, St. Davids, Queenston
9 small pine trees were installed on poles in Virgil, 11 in St. Davids ,10 in Queenston.
Challenges
The challenges presently in Virgil, St. Davids and Queenston are......
●Some people have expressed their concern that the trees have little input due to their size and location.
In all areas, the Christmas decoration program has been offered on a very limited budget.
4. DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS
The following options have been considered ......
COMMUNITY TREES
(One in each community decorated with medium or large LED lights)
On occasion it has been suggested that a single large tree in each community would be more effective than single lit trees in poles.
A community tree has been selected in Queenston (Queenston Library), however, a community tree is yet to be chosen in Virgil and St. Davids. The Parks and Recreation Department could work with the Virgil Business Association and St. Davids Community Residents Association to select the most suitable tree locations. If community trees were decorated in lieu of single lit trees on poles, there would be no change required to the 2011 budget.
4’ SIDE MOUNTED WREATHS WITH LIGHTS AND BOWS
(mounted perpendicular to road, no additional ornamentation, see attachment #1)
An option in future years to consider for Virgil, St. Davids and Queenston, could be the placement of 4' mounted wreaths.
4’ side mounted wreaths have been recommended by Classic Displays, (a major Christmas decoration supplier) as they are proportionate to pole heights and are effectively viewed by vehicles.
An option for 2012 would be to install seven side mounted wreaths in Virgil to test the effectiveness of these wreaths. Currently there are seven suitable poles in Virgil which have receptacles, commencing at the Physiology Clinic and proceeding to the north east of the entrance to the old Niagara Credit Union building. Opportunities may exist for wreath installation on the remaining seven poles between the old Niagara Credit Union building and Line One, however, additional receptacles will need to be installed at an estimated cost of $500 per pole.
Initial Costs
Number of poles - 14 (7 with receptacles, 7 without)
$463.05 each plus taxes and delivery
Supporting bracket to be installed on poles, including banding and leveling (bucket truck required)
Additional pole receptacles as required, estimated cost $500 each
3’ HERITAGE POLE MOUNTED WREATHS
(attachment #2, sample wreath is shown above the cross arms, due to our pole design, wreath would attach to top of cross arm.)
An option for the Heritage District could be a custom 3’ wreath mounted on steel frame with hooks for banner arms. Includes 14” garland, lights, and bow, mounted parallel or perpendicular to road, depending on location, with no additional ornamentation. This wreath would be similar to the 4' wreath (attachment #1).
3’ heritage pole mounted wreaths would be mounted on heritage poles on Queen and Picton Streets. Classic Displays recommends incorporation of lights to make wreaths effective. Individual wreaths would have appeal to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; depending on which side of the heritage poles they were mounted, wreaths would appeal more to pedestrians or vehicular traffic. Artificial construction could be in conflict with heritage guidelines. Wreaths would only cover one side of heritage poles: a wreath on each side would double the cost. Relatively low height could make wreaths subject to vandalism.
Initial Costs
Number of wreaths – 25(+)
Cost per wreath per pole - $450 plus taxes plus delivery
Costs associated with initial installation and receptacle repair if required
DECORATION OF HERITAGE POLES AND PLANTERS USING NATURAL MATERIAL
Decoration of heritage light poles on Queen and Picton Streets, Columns at front entrance to Court House and Planters on Queen and King Streets using natural material. Pole decoration to include garland, bows, and true white lights incorporated in garland. Planters to be decorated with plant material providing winter interest such as Curly Willow, Dogwood, White and Silver Fir.
Natural material would be sympathetic to heritage district guidelines and compliment material used by surrounding businesses. As natural material is replaced on an annual basis, this option would provide the opportunity to change to another option at any time.
Initial Costs
Number of poles – 27
Cost per pole – approximately $150
Number of planters – 16
Cost per planter – approximately $75
Labour - $1000
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Presently there is $3,500 included in the 2011 operational budget for Christmas decorations. The cost of other options has been included within the discussion section of this report. If community trees were decorated in lieu of single lit trees on poles, there would be no change required to the 2011 budget. There would need to be $4,000.00 added to the 2012 budget if seven wreaths were installed in Virgil to test the effectiveness of these wreaths.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
Meetings will have to held with the Chamber of Commerce and the Municipal Heritage Committee if there is found to be a desire to make a change in the Heritage District. As previously noted, communications would have to take place with representatives in Virgil and St. Davids if a community tree is approved.
7. CONCLUSION
Once the preferred options are approved, changes will be implemented by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________ ___________________________
Clive Buist Mike Galloway
Director of Parks & Recreation Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENTS
First Capital of Upper Canada - 1792