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:
August 20, 2012
Report:RC-12-016

Report To:Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Subject:Chautauqua Residents Association Request/ Ryerson Park/ Chautauqua
Park


1. RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended
1.1 That the recommendations prepared by the Chautauqua Residents Association for Ryerson and Chautauqua Park in May 2012 be approved.

2. PURPOSE / PROPOSAL
To review and adopt the recommendations of the Chautauqua Residents Association (C.R.A.) with respect to Ryerson Park and Chautauqua Park.


3. BACKGROUND
At the 2011 C.R.A. Annual meeting, a committee was formed to prepare recommendations to the Town's Parks & Recreation Department for Ryerson Park. These recommendations were prepared keeping in mind those criteria that were used when the Town and the Mississauga Beach Association (now C.R.A.) jointly prepared and approved the Ryerson Park park rehabilitation plans. in 1996. Attachment #1 outlines the findings and recommendations of the C.R.A.


4. DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS
At the time Ryerson Park underwent extensive shoreline and park restoration in 1997 the project was carried out with the following criteria
The park remains a passive park.
Access to the water be maintained.
Nothing be planted that would impede the view of the lake or the sunset.

Since that time, there has been numerous requests at Ryerson Park for additional trees, benches, and other amenities to the park. Due to the size of the park and in keeping with the initial criteria developed, the following recommendations were prepared by the C.R.A.
No additional trees be planted.
All existing trees should be replaced as they reach end of life. This will be determined by NOTL Parks and Recreation and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Tree Committee.
Any replacement trees will be a native species. This is consistent with town policy and guidelines from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). The Town's Parks & Recreation Department are supportive of these recommendations.

The C.R.A. has also requested that although administered through an agreement that is distinct from Ryerson Park, these recommendations should also be applied to Chautauqua Park. The Parks & Recreation is supportive of this recommendation as the original agreement in 1990 when the M.B.A. turned over Chautaugua Park to the Town states that until changed by mutual consent of the Town and the residents association, the landscaping and layout of the park will remain as shown in the original plan.



5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations do not effect the park budgets.


6. COMMUNICATIONS
The C.R.A. will be advised of the approvals.







Respectfully submitted,





__________________________ ______________________________
Clive Buist Mike Galloway
Director of Parks & Recreation Chief Administrative Officer



ATTACHMENTS
Ryerson Park Tree Policy Recommendation Committee Report.pdfRyerson Park Tree Policy Recommendation Committee Report.pdf



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