Lake Ontario Park Master Plan Questions And Answers
QUESTIONS
Why is Lake Ontario Park a good location for a premier park?
Why is this a good plan for accessible trails?
How much did the Lake Ontario Park Revitalization Study cost?
Why is the City paying for paved pathways?
What are the goals of Lake Ontario Park's Master Plan?
Does the Master Plan include features for children?
How much will this plan cost and will this increase my tax bill?
Why are some of the buildings proposed to be removed?
ANSWERS
Q: Why are trees being marked?
A: Trees were marked as part of the topographic survey that was done on the park that records exactly what is where on the site. The trees are catalogued as to species, size and condition. This information ensures that large, significant and healthy trees are not removed as part of the final detailed design so that elements, such as pathways, play equipment and the splash pad, can be relocated or shifted to allow for the continued growth of the trees.
A:
A premier park is a major park that contains significant and important recreational,leisure,
environmental and cultural value to the municipality. The premier park idea relates to
terminology that was part of the final report in the Phase 1 Visioning.
[
DOWNLOAD
THE FINAL REPORT PDF 4.1MB]
These three concepts in late June. A survey was prepared so that members of the public
could comment on the overall vision and principles as well as the three development
concepts. The event was very well attended and the response to the survey excellent. More
than 300 people from all parts of Kingston replied and offered overwhelming support to
retain the site as public land and enhancing it as a major urban waterfront park.
[
DOWNLOAD
THE SURVEY RESULTS PDF 43KB]
Q: Why is Lake Ontario Park a good location for a premier park?
A: Lake Ontario Park a good location for a premier park for the following reasons:
- Lake Ontario Park is the largest municipal park (8.9 hectares/22 acres) in the urban area on the water. Grass Creek Park is larger, but has less shoreline and is in the rural portion of the city and Lemoine Point is on Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority-owned lands.
- The park has two waterfront reaches: one within Elevator Bay and one facing Lake Ontario. Both have amazing views and different in-water and shoreline features and experiences.
- Lake Ontario Park is home to an integral section of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust's Waterfront Trail through the city of Kingston. This section of the trail has been signed and designated by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. This trail runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Cornwall.
- The park has historical significance, and has been a community destination for picnics, swimming, dances, events and entertainment, camping, play areas and a green oasis for the citizens of Kingston since 1930 when the municipality purchased it from a streetcar company and the Cataraqui Golf Course.
- The park is central to the community and easily accessed by main roads and by public transit.
- The park has many large hardwood trees and natural areas that need to be protected and enhanced.
- The park has a variety of open and treed areas that can be used for community and cultural events.
Q: Why is this a good plan for accessible trails?
A: Updating the pathways and trails in the park to meet the needs and abilities of all community members is a primary design criteria for the park. Equal access to the upper and lower areas of the park, facilities and amenities are critical to the enjoyment of the park experience. Making the park accessible to people of all physical abilities, economic means and backgrounds was a key focus of the Phase 1 visioning sessions.
Q: How much did the Lake Ontario Park Revitalization Study cost?
A:
The City issued an Request For Proposals for the Study, as per standard practice, and
proceeded with a Council-approved budget of $125,000.
[
DOWNLOAD
THE FINAL REPORT PDF 4.1MB]
Q: Why is the City paying for paved pathways?
A: Paved pathways are being proposed for the following reasons:
- The City needs to ensure that the walkways and pathways are fully accessible.
- There is a demand for major connecting pathways to be plowed of snow for the use of winter walkers. In order to do this, a trail must be paved.
Q: Why is a pond being proposed?
A: A pond is being proposed for the following reasons:
- A storm-water pond will treat the park's storm-water naturally and on-site.
- The City requires on-site storm-water controls (that address both quality and quantity of surface water flows on-site) from all developers doing certain work on municipal property and at any new properties. At Lake Ontario Park this will ensure that the water going into the lake is cleaner and that there is less erosion from large storm events.
Q: What are the goals of Lake Ontario Park's Master Plan?
A: The implementation of the Lake Ontario Park Master Plan should achieve the goal of reflecting the guiding principles set and approved by Council following the Phase 1 public visioning exercise. These are:
- Waterfront access will be fostered and the waterfront conserved and rehabilitated.
- The park will provide facilities suitable for both local and regional residents as well as visitors.
- The contrast between the park's two main character areas of tableland and waterfront will be celebrated.
- The park will remain accessible to people of all means and backgrounds.
- Vestiges of past uses will be conserved and interpreted.
- All improvements to the park will support environmental enhancement through habitat restoration and sustainable development practices.
- Revenue generating uses should be considered in support of ongoing park operation and improvement, but not as a primary focus.
- In determining appropriate uses for the park, priority should be given to:
- family activities
- cultural/community activities
- activities that promote enjoyment of the natural environment.
Q: Does the Master Plan Design include features for children?
A:
Yes, the Master Plan Design includes an
entire area dedicated to children's play features, including a splash pad similar to the
one recently constructed in City Park.
[SEE
AN IMAGE OF THE CITY PARK SPLASH PAD]
Q: How much will this plan cost and will this increase my tax bill?
A:
The estimated cost of implementing the Lake Ontario Park Master Plan Design is $4.3
million - and, no, this will not increase your tax bill. This project is being funded
through the Municipal Capital Reserve, so that no new tax dollars are going toward funding
this project. The cost of the project breaks down to $195,454 per acre. To put this in
perspective: it will cost $571,428 an acre to create the Veterans' Memorial Garden and
$280,000 an acre to create the Linear Park at the Memorial
Centre.
[SEE
AN IMAGE OF THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL GARDEN DESIGN OVERVIEW]
Q: Why are some of the buildings proposed to be removed?
A: The consultant did a structural assessment on all of the buildings in the park. Based on lifecycle costing analysis the recommendation was to remove the majority of the buildings. Also key to this examination was the consideration that new buildings would be more energy efficient due to new building construction methods and technologies.
A: There is another public meeting that will be hosted by the Art Recreation and Community Policies Committee on September 16. The public are encouraged to come out and express their opinions.
