GPAC Meeting Minutes
GPAC Meeting Minutes from July 13, 2009
Grange Park Advisory Committee
Meeting of July 13, 2009
Held at Art Gallery of Ontario
Members in attendance:
John Burns, St. George the Martyr Church
Rupert Duchesne, Co-Chair, AGO (by phone)
Councillor Adam Vaughan, Co-chair
Bev Carret, AGO
Ken Greenberg, resource person, AGO
Debbie McGuinness, resident
Pat McKendry, resident, social housing and co-ops
Mazyar Mortazavi, member-at-large
Marguerite Newell, resident
Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, resident
Debra Shime, University Settlement
Observers and guests:
Peter Couto, resident (alternate)
Pearl Quong, resident
Bill Smyke, resident
Regrets
Peter Caldwell, OCAD
Mark Emslie, City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Mike Mahoney, AGO
Netami Stewart, City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Matthew Teitelbaum, AGO
Margie Zeidler, member-at-large
Summary of Discussion:
Approval of the minutes of June 1, 2009
Minutes approved
Business Arising from the minutes
No business arising
Feedback from June 1 community meeting
Rupert invited GPAC members to share their feedback about the June 1 community meeting. General consensus was that the meeting went well and information was well received by the community, with adequate time for questions. For the next community meeting, it was suggested we have meeter/greeters at the door to distribute handouts and ensure that all participants sign a sheet with their mailing address/e-mail address.
The biggest concern expressed at the community meeting is around the proposed “art” in the park. In all communications with the neighbourhood GPAC will need to stress this is interactive, playable art. We will need to raise parents’ comfort levels about non-traditional play activities. Adam stressed the need to engage children and youth in a workshop to share their ideas about play in the park. Deb offered to have the University Settlement children’s and youth groups engaged in this activity. Adam will consult with the Sibelius Square working group to see if they could facilitate, based on their experience consulting with children in their community.
The summary of the meeting will be posted on the Grange Park website and a shorter version will be distributed by postal walk in the neighbourhood.
Grange Park maintenance during labour disruption
Adam commended neighbours for being proactive with litter pickup in Grange Park during the City strike. Deb confirmed that University Settlement is organizing a weekly pickup activity, open to anyone who would like to participate. It was noted that since City management staff were removing bags at least once per week, it was no longer necessary to make alternate arrangements.
TD Friends of the Environment grant
Bev advised that TD Friends of the Environment has agreed to provide a second grant of $50,000. These funds will be used primarily for remedial initiatives such as soil decompaction, mulching and pruning, as identified in the PMA report, as well as communication activities and continued negotiations with the City re maintenance protocol. None of the remedial activities in the park can be undertaken during the City strike; however, the best time to undertake this work is the fall, so the timeline is not an issue.
These remedial initiatives provide a good basis upon which the he AGO and the City can develop a new protocol for the on-going maintenance of Grange Park.
Review of draft permit criteria for Grange Park
Ceta reviewed the revised draft permit criteria created by the GCA. Adam clarified that permit applicants would be directed by the Permit office to contact his office to receive these criteria. The meeting suggested this information be added as an introduction so that applicants will know where this fits in the approval process. Feedback also suggested that the document be considered more as a guideline instead of criteria, as well as emphasize that all were welcome to use the park. Those in attendance were asked to provide any additional comments to Bev and Ceta and that they be delegated to bring forward a revised set of criteria to a subsequent meeting of GPAC. Ceta will also discuss these suggested changes with GCA.
Other Business
- OCAD rep on GPAC: Peter Caldwell, Vice President of Finance and Administration, will now be the OCAD rep on GPAC, replacing Dr. James Moy.
- Grange Festival: Deb reminded the meeting that University Settlement’s annual Grange Festival is scheduled to take place on August 7 and invited all to attend.
- Four Grange Road: A question was raised about the zoning status of Four Grange Road. The re-zoning of the property to parkland is still in process with the City. Once the strike is over, the AGO will get an update on its status.
Next meeting
Monday, September 14, 7:00pm
OCAD’s Rosalie Sharp Building – 113 McCaul Street (south-east corner of McCaul and Dundas)
NOTE: NEW LOCATION