GPAC Meeting Minutes
GPAC Meeting Minutes June 1, 2009
Grange Park Advisory Committee
Meeting of June 1, 2009
Held at University Settlement
Members in attendance:
John Burns, St. George the Martyr Church
Rupert Duchesne, Co-Chair, AGO
Councillor Adam Vaughan, Co-chair
Bev Carret, AGO
Peter Couto, resident
Ken Greenberg, resource person, AGO
Mazyar Mortazavi, member-at-large
Mike Mahoney, AGO
Dr. James Moy, OCAD
Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, resident
Debra Shime, University Settlement
Margie Zeidler, member-at-large
Observers and guests:
Jennifer Chan, Councillor Vaughan’s office
Bill Smyke, resident
Jennifer Tharp, City of Toronto Parks Dept.
Netami Stewart, City of Toronto Parks Dept.
Regrets
Mark Emslie, City of Toronto Parks Dept.
Debbie McGuinness, resident
Pat McKendry, resident
Marguerite Newell, resident
Matthew Teitelbaum, AGO
Summary of Discussion:
Introductions:
Jen Tharp advised the meeting that she has taken on new duties in the City Parks and Recreation Department. Jen introduced Netami Stewart, who will replace her as an observer of the GPAC committee.
Approval of the minutes of April 22, 2009
Minutes were approved with the following clarifications:
- Feedback on design brief
Deb Shime noted that the concern expressed by University Settlement over the treatment of Grange Road was primarily around access to drop off and pick up children at the daycare.
Business Arising from the minutes
- Protocol between the City of Toronto and the AGO
A question was raised about the rationale for neighbourhood involvement in the new protocol between the City and the AGO. Adam noted the benefit of enabling neighbours to provide input and flag issues that help protect and preserve the park. He cited the example of the recent Walk for Israel event, where neighbourhood feedback through the GCA and GPAC surfaced a problem with the setup that could have potentially damaged the park and helped to identify a solution. Grange Park will continue to be operated as a public park and will follow City policies. However, the neighbourhood’s familiarity with Grange Park can inform decisions made by City departments.
- Grange Park – Update on remedial initiatives
Ceta asked if the fence at the northwest corner of the park is going to be replaced now that the AGO’s remedial work to restore the area post construction has been completed. Mike Mahoney will contact Mark Emslie about this. Rupert suggested that a temporary barrier be put into place in the interim to prevent vehicles from entering the park and to help the new sod to take root.
Review of agenda for community meeting
GPAC members undertook a final review of the agenda for the community meeting following immediately. Questions arose around the item “Criteria for Grange Park permits”. It was confirmed that draft criteria will be provided to the meeting for discussion purposes to encourage community feedback. They will be presented as guidelines to follow in addition to requirements set out within the parks permit application process. Adam stressed that the purpose of these criteria is to ensure events are appropriately scaled to respect the park’s natural environment.
Other Business
- Grange Festival – August 7
GPAC endorsed the Grange Festival event in Grange Park, planned for August 7 by University Settlement.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 13, 6:00pm at the AGO.